‘Pack Is Complete’: Indian Air Force To Get Last Of 36 Rafale Jets
- The jets were given to India by France at the Istres-Le Tube air base of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation, which is north-west of Marseille.
- India-specific upgrades to the jets include a helmet-mounted sight, radar warning receivers, flight data recorders with enough space for 10 hours, infrared search and track systems
The Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted on Thursday that the last of the 36 Rafale jets had arrived. “Keep your feet dry! “The Pack is Full.” After taking a quick drink from a UAE Air Force tanker on the way, the last of the 36 IAF Rafales planes landed in India “Along with a picture of an aeroplane, the IAF tweet said.
In July 2020, the first group of five Rafale jets arrived at the Ambala Air Force Station. A government statement from the time said that these were supposed to be part of the “Golden Arrows” 17 Squadron, which had been brought back to life the year before. The IAF officially took them on board the following month.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said at the time, “The Rafale deal was a game changer for India’s national security, and its introduction sends a strong message to the world, especially to those who challenge India’s sovereignty.” The Rafale deal, which is worth about $9 billion, was signed so that the IAF could get new jets.
FEET DRY!
‘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.
Shukran jazeelan. @modgovae pic.twitter.com/5rkMikXQeS
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2022
In February, three of the last four fighter planes were sent to India. The jets were given to India by France at the Istres-Le Tube air base of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation, which is north-west of Marseille. The jets were fully equipped to meet India’s needs.
India-specific upgrades to the jets include a helmet-mounted sight, radar warning receivers, flight data recorders with enough space for 10 hours, infrared search and track systems, towed decoys to distract incoming missiles, and a missile approach warning system, HT reported earlier. It was thought that each jet would cost about 670 crore.
Last month, the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Marshal VR Chaudhari, was seen flying an IAF Rafale fighter jet, while the head of the French Air Force, Gen Stéphane Mille, took off in an Indian Sukhoi-30 fighter plane that was made in Russia. This was part of a joint exercise called “Garuda VIl,” which took place in Jodhpur. After the flying exercise, the air chief marshal said, “Definitely, we need 4.5-generation aircraft, five to six squadrons of these (Rafale) aircraft to meet immediate needs.”
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