5 Rafale jets to join the Indian Air Force today

Guwahati: Amid escalating tensions with China, the first batch of five Rafale multirole fighter jets will be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force today at Ambala airbase in Haryana today.

The French-made fighter jets will become a part of the IAF's 17 Squadron "Golden Arrows". The Air Force tweeted this morning about a "new bird in the arsenal of IAF."

Today's programme will include the ceremonial unveiling of the Rafale aircraft, a traditional sarva dharma puja, air display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft as well as by the Sarang aerobatic team.

An air display of Rafale fighter aircraft flanked by SU-30 and Jaguar aircraft in an arrow formation has taken place at the ceremony.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Ambala Air Force Station, formed in 1919, is the oldest IAF base.

The Rafale jets, built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for precision strikes on ground targets, and they are known for being 'multirole' jets.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar will attend the ceremony.

It is pertinent to mention here that the first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to buy 36 jets for Rs 59,000 crores.

Also Watch: #NewsMakers: Doctors Speak on Rising COVID cases in Assam and Unlock 4.0