December 16, 2022
2 mins read

‘Pack is complete’: Last of 36 Rafale jets lands in India

According to sources, the 36th Rafael fighter jet will soon become a part of the Air Force’s Squadron…reports Asian Lite News

With the landing of the 36th and the final fighter jet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday received the delivery of all the aircraft for which it had entered into a Rs 58,000-crore deal with France’s Dassault Aviation in 2016.

“The pack is complete. The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker,” the IAF said in an official statement.

A squadron of Rafale will monitor the western border and northern border with Pakistan, while another squadron will monitor the eastern border area of India. Due to the completion of the Rafel deal, the strength of the Indian Air Force has increased especially at a time when tension and a clash has erupted at the International borders with China.

According to sources, the 36th Rafael fighter jet will soon become a part of the Air Force’s Squadron. Among the India-specific enhancements, the jets included helmet-mounted sight, radar warning receivers, flight data recorders with enough storage for 10 hours, infra-red search and track systems, and towed decoys to lure incoming missiles away and missile approach warning system.

Recently, the Air Force had successfully tested long-range Meteor missile and Scalp air-to-ground missile from Rafale. A HAMMER missile has also been added to Rafael’s arsenal. This missile is capable of accurate attack in short range, the official added.

The IAF shared the update along with the picture of the world’s most advanced fighter jet. India had received the first batch of five Rafale jets at the Air Force Station Ambala in July 2020. These jets were a part of the 17 Squadron.

The last Rafel landed in India on a day when the IAF was conducting an exercise near the India-China border. This exercise of the Indian Air Force will continue up to December 16 in the Eastern Sector of the country. Air bases in Assam’s Tezpur, Chabua, Jorhat and West Bengal’s Hasimara are likely to be activated in the exercise.

As per the official, “The Eastern Air Command of Indian Air Force shall be conducting a pre-planned routine exercise in its AOR on December 15-16. This exercise was planned well in advance to the recent developments in Tawang, and is not associated with these events. The exercise shall be conducted towards training of the IAF crew”.

ALSO READ: Indian, Japanese diplomats focus on boosting bilateral ties

Previous Story

OYO launches ‘Super OYO’

Next Story

India declares UNSC candidature for 2028-29

Latest from India News

Rahul, the court, and the patriotism trap

When judges slip into moral commentary, especially on loyalty to the nation, they risk blurring the line between verdict and ideology, writes Aravind Rajeev A rare moment of judicial overreach shook the

Doval in Moscow Amid US Tariff Threat

During his Moscow visit, NSA Doval will discuss defence ties, the oil issue, and the upcoming Modi-Putin summit..reports Asian Lite news India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is set to meet senior

After Pakistan, China Backing Iran Too?

China and Iran signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement that covered trade, energy and security, showcasing the strategic value that Beijing places on Tehran….reports Asian Lite News Despite its long-standing claims of

US-India ties is a slow-motion catastrophe

For the first time in two decades, Trump’s actions, statements, and coercive tone have made relations with the US a combustible domestic political issue in India, writes Manoj Menon The post-globalisation uncertainty

Modi Welcomes Marcos Jr to Delhi

PM Modi Welcomes Philippines President Marcos Jr to Strengthen India-Philippines Ties…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warmly welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr at Hyderabad House in
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Indian mission to hold talks over communal violence

Communal violence broke out in several places in Bangladesh on

WW I vintage bunker found in Madurai college

The bunker was discovered accidentally while the workers were cleaning