The first batch of Rafale fighter aircrafts have taken off from Merignac Air Base in France on Monday and it will reach India on Wednesday covering a distance of 7000 kms. Totally 5 Rafale jets are being delivered to India right now and they will make an air-to-air refueling in this journey. They will make a single stop at UAE.
Jawed Ashraf, Indian Ambassador to France who was there to overlook the delivery said “5 Rafale Jets are flying to India today. Our Air Force Pilots tell us that these are extremely swift, nimble, versatile and very deadly aircrafts. You might call them both beauty and beast. They are superb flying machines, been flown by the best pilots in the world”
He thanked the manufacturer Dassaut for delivering this aircraft, French Air Force and the Government of France for their support.“This is going to add great deal of strength to our Air Power and it is also a symbol of the strategic partnership between India and France”, he added. The five Rafale jets will land in the Ambala Air Base in Haryana on July 29. The delivery of all 36 ordered aircrafts will be done by the end of 2021.