The second batch of Rafale fighter jets arrived in India on Wednesday. They arrived at Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat after flying directly from France. The officials informed that unlike the first batch of jets, these fighter jets did not have any stopover and will be refuelled by French and Indian tankers during the journey only.
The jets will reach Ambala airbase after taking a one-day break at Jamnagar.
The fleet, comprising three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft, were to be part of the No. 17 Squadron of the Air Force, also known as the ”Golden Arrows’.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria informed that the induction of all 36 jets will be completed by 2023.
The twin-engine jet is capable of carrying out a variety of missions- ground and sea attack, air defense, and air superiority. It can almost carry 10 tonnes of weapons.
The first batch of five jets had arrived in India on July 29. The fleet was to be part of the No.17 Squadron of the Air Force.
The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in over two decades. It comes four years after the Narendra Modi government signed a deal with France for a total of 36 units, as part of a Rs 59,000-crore agreement.
