New Delhi: To strengthen itself on the eastern front along the China border, the Indian Air Force will join the Second Squadron of its Rafale fighter aircraft in mid-April. The squadron will be stationed at Hashimara Air Force Base in West Bengal.
Sources said that the Air Force will take the fighter aircraft to Hashimara in May. He said that the training of fighter pilots in France is also ending at the same time. By the time the second squadron starts, the Indian Air Force will have more than 20 Rafale fighter jets. In September last year, five Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the Indian Air Force at Ambala Air Force Base.
Speaking on the occasion, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The joining of Rafale jets is a big and strong message for the whole world, especially for those who monitor our sovereignty.” This kind of induction is very important for the environment on our borders. “
The Rafale jet is built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation and is known for air-superiority and precision strikes. The first batch of 5 Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29 last year, nearly four years after India signed an agreement with France to purchase 36 aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. Delivery of all 36 aircraft is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Of the 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and will have almost all the features of fighter jets.
(With agency inputs)