See in Pics : Mid Air Refuelling Of Rafale Jets On Their Way to India, Beautiful Shots From 30,000 Feet!
New Delhi : Rafale aircraft, which is considered a ‘game changer’ for the Indian Air Force at Ambala, the country’s oldest airbase, is scheduled to land on Wednesday. The Rafale aircraft is about to join the Air Force fleet after a long wait. These planes flew on Monday from Mérignac Air Force Base in the port city of Bordeaux, France. These planes will travel to Ambala Air Force Base on Wednesday, covering a journey of about seven thousand kilometers.
Officials said five Rafale aircraft had arrived at Al Dafra Airport in the United Arab Emirates on Monday evening after a flight of about seven hours. He said that this was the only stoppage for these fighter jets coming from France to India. The Rafale aircraft will be part of the Golden Arrow squadron commanded by former Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa during the 1999 Kargil War.
A French tanker fueled five Rafale fighter jets coming to India from France in mid-air at an altitude of 30,000 feet. This information was given in photographs released on Tuesday by the Indian Embassy in France. The Indian Air Force tweeted, “Indian Air Force appreciates the support provided by French Air Force for our Rafale journey back home.”
Indian Air Force appreciates the support provided by French Air Force for our Rafale journey back home. @Armee_de_lair @Indian_Embassy @Dassault_OnAir #Rafale#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/7Ec8oqOJmr
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 28, 2020
The Indian embassy in France shared several photos of air-fueled aircrafts, and tweeted, “Few shots from 30,000 feet! Mid air refuelling of #RafaleJets on their way to #India” An official said that the batch has three one-seater and two aircraft two-seater. These planes are expected to reach Ambala Air Force Station on Wednesday, when they will be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force as its 17th Squadron, also known as the ‘Golden Arrow’. Rafael’s induction into the Air Force fleet is expected to significantly increase his combat capability.
Few shots from 30,000 feet! Mid air refuelling of #RafaleJets on their way to #India@IAF_MCC @French_Gov @FranceinIndia @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @DDNewslive @ANI @DefenceMinIndia @Armee_de_lair @JawedAshraf5 pic.twitter.com/VE7lJUcZe7
— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 28, 2020
India is getting these fighter jets at a time when it is facing a deadlock with China on the border issue in East Ladakh. The Indian Air Force has already deployed front-line fighters at its vital air bases along the Line of Actual Control.
India had signed a deal of 59 thousand crore rupees with French aviation giant Doso Aviation on 23 September 2016 to purchase 36 Rafale aircraft for the Air Force. The first Rafale aircraft was delivered to the Air Force during Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to France last year. The first squadron of Rafale planes will be deployed at Ambala Air Base.
Official sources said Rafale aircraft are likely to be deployed in the Ladakh sector where the Air Force wants to further strengthen its operational capabilities along the Line of Actual Control with China. The aircraft is capable of carrying a wide variety of powerful weapons. European missile maker MBDS’s Meteor, Scalp cruise missile, MICA weapon system is included in the weapon package of Rafale fighter jets.