Another set of five Rafael fighter jets be inducted in the Indian Air Force on Thursday in Ambala air base in Haryana.
The ceremony is attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.
The aircraft will be part of 17 Squadron, the “Golden Arrows”. The first five Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft arrived at Air Force Station, Ambala from France on 27 July 2020.
In the morning, ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’ conducted at the Rafale induction ceremony, at IAF airbase in Ambala.
Indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas performed during the Rafale induction ceremony, at Ambala airbase.
Water cannon salute was given to the five Rafale fighter aircraft.
“I would like to congratulate our colleagues of Indian Air Force today. During the recent unfortunate incident at the border, the swift and deliberate action taken by IAF near LAC shows your commitment. The speed at which IAF deployed its assets at forward bases shows the confidence that our Air Force is fully prepared to fulfil its operational obligations,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
“The induction of the five Rafale fighter jets is important given the kind of situation that has been created on the country’s borders in recent days,” he said.
“Today is an achievement for our countries. Together we are writing a new chapter in India-France defence ties. 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,” said Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly.
The French delegation was represented by Emmanuel Lenain Ambassador of France to India, Air General Eric Autellet, Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the French Air Force and other senior officials. A large delegation of senior functionaries of French Defence Industries which includes Eric Trappier Chairman and Chief Executive of Dassault Aviation and Eric Beranger, CEO, MBDA will be present during the ceremony.