Three more Rafale Fighter Jets join IAF

India received the third consignment containing three Rafale fighter jets on January 27. These Rafale fighters have joined the solitary Rafale squadron of the Indian Air Force.

Key Points

• This is the third set of deliveries from France.
• India signed an agreement with France in September 2016 to buy 36 Rafale Fighter jets.
• The total cost of the deal is Rs. 59,000 crores.
• With the newly received three Rafale fighters, the number of Rafales in the inventory of IAF has increased to 11.
• The jets will increase the strength of IAF’s only Rafale squadron based in Ambala.
• The first squadron of the Rafale jets will be operational from Ambala airbase, the second one will be based at Hashimara in West Bengal to combat the Chinese threat. The new fleet will be part of 17 Squadron of the IAF which was resurrected on September 10, 2020.
• The first consignment of 5 Rafale jets reached India at the Ambala airbase on July 29, 2020.
• The second consignment of 3 Rafale fighters reached in November 2020.

The newly inducted Rafale fighters were also a part of the 2021 Republic Day Flypast for the first time. Rafale fighters have been manufactured by French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation.