The fifth batch of Rafale fighter jets reached India from an army airbase in France today. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria from Merignac Air Base flagged the jets off amid his ongoing five-day formal visit to France.
However, it was not mentioned how many aircraft were flagged off by the IAF Chief. The Rafale fighter jets travelled a distance of nearly 8,000 km.
“After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 April. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000Kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair (France Air Force) and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted today.
For the unversed, the Centre had made an inter-governmental agreement with France in 2016 for the acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft at a cost of around Rs 58,000 Cr. The first batch of five jets had landed in India on July 29 last year. So far, fourteen Rafale jets are serving in the Indian Air Force.
After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 Apr. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000Kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation. pic.twitter.com/jp81vODCp2
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 21, 2021