In the seventh batch of Rafale fighter jets, three more aircraft flew from France and reached India, covering a distance of about eight thousand kilometers without stopping. These aircraft will be included in the second squadron of Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
These planes from France were provided fuel by the UAE Air Force in the middle of the air route. Indian Air Force tweeted, “Three non-stop Rafale aircraft arrived in India shortly before taking off from Isres Air Base in France. The Indian Air Force thanks the UAE Air Force for providing mid-airway assistance.”
After the arrival of this consignment, there are now 24 Rafale aircraft in India. The new squadron of Rafale jets will be based at Hasimara Air Base in West Bengal. The first Rafale Squadron is based at Ambala Air Force Station. There are 18 aircraft in a squadron.
India signed a deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets. Let us inform that the first batch of five Rafale aircraft reached India on 29 July 2020. About four years ago, a deal was made to buy 36 Rafale aircraft from France for Rs 59,000 crore. These aircraft were officially inducted into the Indian Air Force on September 10 last year at an event in Ambala.
Rafale fighter jets are considered a game changer for the Indian Air Force. Because due to their arrival, India has also got a technical edge over its neighbors and also a powerful fighter in the event of war. And Rafale had given proof of this by flying in the skies of Ladakh.
India is also preparing to place an order for 114 multirole fighter aircraft. Indigenously built Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft will be deployed with them. Seven squads of these indigenously made aircraft will join the Indian Air Force in the next 15-20 years.