New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF), on Thursday, formally inducted Rafale fighter jets into the seventeen Squadron Golden Arrows. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, French Defence Minister Florence Parly reached Ambala previous the induction of the fighters. A ‘Sarva Hindu deity Puja’ was conducted at the airbase before the formal induction ceremony of the fighter jets. Shortly later, the IAF inducted the French fighters with a conventional water-cannon salute.
Rafale represents strong India-France ties: Rajnath
Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh aforementioned that the induction of Rafale into IAF additionally represents the sturdy ties between India and France. “The strategic ties between our 2 countries have additionally reinforced,” Singh aforementioned.
Singh mentioned that Rafale induction may be a huge and stern message for the whole world, particularly to those eyeing our sovereignty. “This induction is very important considering the type of atmosphere at our borders or ought to I say the type of atmosphere created at our borders,” he added.
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“This induction couldn’t have happened at an additional opportune time considering the situation these days,” Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria mentioned at the Rafale induction ceremony. Earlier, the ceremony witnessed an air show of Rafale flanked by SU-30 aircraft in an arrow formation.
A breathtaking show by IAF’s Sarang aerobatic team, sorties by endemic light-weight Combat craft (LCA) Tejas marked the ceremony that was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO besides others.
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India and France can hold a bilateral meeting once the formal induction ceremony.
First major acquisition in 2 decades: Rajnath
Ahead of the event, Rajnath Singh took to Twitter and mentioned that Rafale is a major acquisition within the past 20 years. “At 10.00 AM tomorrow, #Rafale craft is going to be formally inducted into @IAF_MCC at the Air Force Station in Ambala. The craft is going to be a part of seventeen Squadron, the “Golden Arrows”. The Rafale jets are India’s initial major acquisition of fighter planes in additional than 20 years,” he said.
Since 2015, once PM Narendra Modi proclaimed the choice to amass thirty-six fighter jets from French defense major Dassault, the Rafales have had associate eventful sortie. whereas the initial proposal to induct 126 Rafales was sidelined by the govt citing strategic desires, the acquisition of the craft was encumbered in controversies once Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that there was ‘corruption’ within the Rafale deal. it absolutely was solely once a Supreme Court blow that Congress stopped creating the allegations.
The complete induction of thirty-six fighter jets is predicted to conclude by end of 2021. subsequent batches area unit slated to arrive in December this year.
