The Indian Air Force (IAF), on Thursday, formally inducted Rafale fighter jets into the No 17 Squadron Golden Arrows. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, French Defence Minister Florence Parly reached Ambala ahead of the induction of the fighters. A ‘Sarva Dharma 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 traditional water-cannon salute.
Rafale represents strong India-France ties: Rajnath
Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh said that the induction of Rafale into IAF also represents the strong ties between India and France. “The strategic ties between our two countries have also strengthened,” Singh said.
Singh further said that Rafale induction is a big and stern message for the entire world, especially to those eyeing our sovereignty. “This induction is important considering the kind of atmosphere at our borders or should I say the kind of atmosphere created at our borders,” he added.
“This induction could not have happened at a more opportune time considering the security scenario today,” Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said at Rafale induction ceremony.
France supports India’s candidacy for the UN Security Council
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly
“We are fully committed to ‘Make in India’ initiative, as well as, to the further integration of the Indian manufacturers in our global supply chain,” Parly said.
Earlier, the ceremony witnessed an air display of Rafale fighter aircraft flanked by SU-30 and Jaguar aircraft in an arrow formation.
A breathtaking display by IAF’s Sarang aerobatic team, sorties by indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (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.
India and France will hold a bilateral meeting after the formal induction ceremony.
First major acquisition in two decades: Rajnath
Ahead of the event, Rajnath Singh took to Twitter and said that Rafale is the first major acquisition in the past two decades. “At 10.00 AM tomorrow, #Rafale aircraft will be formally inducted into @IAF_MCC at the Air Force Station in Ambala. The aircraft will be part of 17 Squadron, the “Golden Arrows”. The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in more than two decades,” he said.
Since April 2015, when PM Narendra Modi announced the decision to acquire 36 fighter jets from French defence major Dassault, the Rafales have had an eventful sortie. While the original proposal to induct 126 Rafales was sidelined by the government citing strategic needs, the acquisition of the aircraft was mired in controversies when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that there was ‘corruption’ in the Rafale deal. It was only after a Supreme Court blow that Congress stopped making the allegations.
The complete induction of 36 fighter jets is expected to conclude by end of 2021. The next batches are slated to arrive in October and December this year.
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