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New Delhi: At a time when India faces tensions along the border with China and Pakistan, New Delhi will receive a huge boost as the first shipment of Rafale fighter jets will begin entering the Indian Air Force in Ambala in late of July.
However, the final date for the arrival of the Rafales has not yet been decided and there is the possibility of a change due to the blocking of the COVID-19 coronavirus in India and France. The arrival of Rafales, 36 of which will arm two IAF squadrons, has already been delayed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
According to the schedule, the delivery of the planes was supposed to have taken place before the end of May, but this was delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
“The first four planes, including three two-seater training planes and a single-seater fighter jet, would begin arriving in late July at Ambala Air Base. Trainers will have the RB series tail numbers in honor of the Chief of the RKS Bhadauria Air Force, which played a pivotal role in finalizing India’s largest defense agreement for 36 Rafale fighter jets, “defense sources told ANI here.
The first plane to be flown is planned to be piloted by the Commander of the 17 Golden Arrows squad along with a French pilot, they said.
According to ANI, the plane on its way from France to India would be resupplied by a French Air Force tanker in the air before stopping in the Middle East. From the Middle East to India, the Indian tanker IL-78 would refuel in the air before landing in the country.
Meanwhile, the first group of seven Indian pilots also finished their training at a French air base, while the second group would leave for France as soon as the blocking measures are relaxed in both countries.
After the shutdown, India received the first shipment of equipment from France when a cargo plane landed in Delhi last week and more equipment would arrive in the near future.
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