The fourth batch of three Rafale fighter jets arrived in India from France on Wednesday, giving a big boost to the Indian Air Force’s firepower. The planes were refuelled in mid-flight by planes from the United Arab Emirates. The jets were refuelled in mid-flight by United Arab Emirates (UAE) air force tankers, according to the IAF.
“After a direct ferry from #IstresAirBase France, the 4th batch of three IAF #Rafales landed on Indian soil,” it tweeted.
The IAF also expressed gratitude to the UAE air force for refueling the Rafale jets, describing it as yet another landmark in the two air forces’ close relationship.
The Rafale jets landed at an undisclosed base, according to the IAF.
“Another batch of #Rafale take to the skies on a nonstop flight to India with mid-air refueling by UAE. Indian Air power grows further,” the Indian Embassy in France tweeted earlier.
The first five Rafale jets landed in India on July 29, nearly four years after India and France concluded an inter-governmental agreement to purchase 36 of the planes for Rs 59,000 crore.
The fleet’s formal induction ceremony took place in Ambala on September 10th.
On November 3, the second batch of three Rafale jets landed in India, and on January 27, the third batch of three jets joined the IAF.
Ambala air force station is home to the first Rafale squadron.
According to military officials, the Indian Air Force will lift the second squadron of Rafale fighter jets in mid-April, stationed at Hasimara airbase in West Bengal.
In the coming months, India is scheduled to receive more Rafale jets from France.
The Rafale jets, manufactured by French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation, are India’s first major fighter plane purchase in 23 years, following the import of Russian Sukhoi jets.
The Rafale jets can transport a variety of powerful weapons. The Meteor outside visual range air-to-air missile, Scalp cruise missile, and MICA weapons suite from MBDA will be the mainstay of the Rafale jets’ weapons kit.
