Highlights:
- The second batch of 3 Rafale fighter jets arrive in India
- The jets did not halt between France and India and covered the distance in a matter of 8 hours
- The jets were refuelled three times mid-air to cover the distance
The second batch of the Rafale fighter jets arrived in India at 8:14 PM on Wednesday after taking off from a French airbase. The aircrafts had three mid-air refuelling and flew non-stop from France to reach India.
It took the jets only 8 hours to reach India from France and showcased the long-range operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The second batch of 3 Rafale jets arrived at Jamnagar in Gujarat.
Also Read: Interest-On-Interest Waiver To Be Nominal Causing Bank To Credit To Loan Account
Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India, congratulated the Indian Air Force for successfully accomplishing the highly complex mission in not only a professional but also a very safe manner, as per the Office of the Defence Minister.
Sharing the video of the second batch of Rafales landing in Jamnagar,Raksha Mantri Office tweeted, “The IAF pilots brought home the second batch of three Rafale aircraft today after flying non-stop from France in a ferry that lasted for over 8 hours.
RM @rajnathsingh congratulates @IAF_MCC for successfully accomplishing a highly complex mission in a professional & safe manner”.
The IAF pilots brought home the second batch of three Rafale aircraft today after flying non-stop from France in a ferry that lasted for over 8 hours.
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 4, 2020
RM @rajnathsingh congratulates @IAF_MCC for successfully accomplishing a highly complex mission in a professional & safe manner pic.twitter.com/WgoI0vhjRo
In a tweet, the Indian Air Force said that the second batch of Rafale jets arrived in India on Wednesday. “Second batch of IAF #Rafale aircraft arrived in India at 8:14 pm on 04 Nov 20 after flying non-stop from France.”
Second batch of IAF #Rafale aircraft arrived in India at 8:14 pm on 04 Nov 20 after flying non-stop from France.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 4, 2020
The first batch on Rafale jets were flown to Indian on the 28th of July and were officially inducted on the 10th of September by the Narendra Modi-led government.
With the induction of the second batch of aircraft, the IAF will now have eight Rafale fighter aircraft which will be operationalised within the coming few days.
The earlier Rafale fighters have already been operationalised and have already been deployed in the conflict zone of Ladakh in the short duration of time they have been with the Indian Air Force. In the deal signed by the NDA government (National Democratic Alliance) worth Rs 60,000 in 2016, a total of 36 Rafale fighter jets will be purchased by India and they will be sent to Indian by min-2022 by France.
