As India demonstrated its airpower capabilities in Ladakh after the Galwan valley clash to give China a movement of pause, the Indian Air Force is all set to induct its first batch of five Rafale fighter jets from France, reported the Hindustan Times.
The new fighters will be stationed in the strategic Ambala airbase on July 29 if weather permits, an IAF spokesperson said on Monday (July 20).
Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said, “The IAF’s air and ground crews have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft, including its highly-advanced weapons systems and are fully operational now. Efforts will focus on operationalisation of the aircraft at the earliest,”.
However, a formal induction ceremony will take place next month.
These much delayed advanced multi-role fighters could not have been inducted in a more crucial time as the tension with China still persist. Many aviation experts believe the induction of Rafale into the IAF is a serious force multiplier.
Also, Hindustan Times had reported that the IAF could deploy its new Rafale fighters in the Ladakh sector. This will give the IAF overarching strength in the region since China enjoys numerical superiority when it comes to fighter jets.
Not to mention there is always the prospect of the Indian military faced with two-front war with China and Pakistan. In such a situation air dominance is an absolute must.
When India signed the deal with France to purchase 36 ready-to-fly fighters, it ensured the jets have a cold engine start capability to operate from high-altitude bases as per the India-specific enhancements.
Acting on special request by the IAF, the delivery of the Rafale fighters to India was accelerated.
Right now the IAF is making elaborate and meticulous plans to fly the jets to India with a stopover at Al Dhafra airbase near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates
In 2016, India ordered 36 Rafale jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore bolster the dwindling IAF’s combat squadrons.
In the IAF commanders’ conference to be held in New Delhi from July 22 to 24, planners would focus on the ongoing border row with China.
According to WIng Commander Nandi, “During the three-day conference, the discussions would take stock of the current operational scenario and deployments. The plan of action for operational capability enhancement of the IAF in the next decade will also be discussed,”
The theme of this conference is “IAF in the Next Decade”.
India has also asked France to expedite future deliveries and it is expected that all the 36 fighters would have arrived by April-May 2022.