Indian Rafale fighters to scare nation's enemies

Heavy loaded FAF Rafale.

The first batch of four Rafale fighter planes has recently been taken over by India. Currently, the first aircraft are in France for pilots training, but as they become operational in India, the enemy will think twice about facing the nation, IAF Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria told India Today.

According to the Air Chief, the induction of Rafale is important because it will boost the air force's fighting capability tremendously. "Once Rafale is inducted, our immediate plan is to make Rafale and Su-30 as a potent force."

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said this is the right time for India to focus on boosting its indigenous defence industry. "With the procurement of Rafale and S-400, we have met our immediate requirement of fighter aircraft. This is an ideal time when we should be focusing on developing indigenous aircraft and weapons."

The first four of the 36 ordered Rafale fighters will join the IAF fleet in May 2020. First the IAF pilots have to fly the new fighter jets for at least 1,500 hours in France as part of the induction process into service.

Eighteen Rafale fighter jets will serve in the IAF’s 17 Squadron at Ambala AFB. The second batch of 18 aircraft will serve in the IAF’s 101 Squadron at Hasimara AFB in northeastern India. The first squadron is expected to become operational by February 2021.

Written by Matteo Sanzani