At least ten new Rafale fighter aircraft would join the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet, resulting in the formation of the second squadron of the planes.
The new additions would bring the total number of these planes to 21, with 11 already flying with the Ambala-based 17 Squadron.
“Three Rafale fighters will arrive in India in the next two to three days, flying directly from France with mid-air re-fuelling support from a friendly Air Force. Following that, we should see 7-8 more of these fighters and their trainer variants in the second half of next month. This would significantly improve our ability to carry out our missions ” said senior government sources.
The aircraft began joining the Air Force fleet in July-August of last year and were quickly operationalized by the Air Force. During the height of the China confrontation, the aircraft were also used for patrolling along the China front in eastern Ladakh and other fronts.
After arriving in the country from France, the aircraft will be stationed in Ambala, with some of them later being sent to Hashimara, where the process of establishing the second squadron has already begun, they said.
In September 2016, India ordered 36 of these fighter aircraft from France, and by the end of April, more than half of these fighters would have arrived in India. India will now place orders for 114 multirole fighter aircraft, as well as seven squadrons of indigenously developed stealth fighters Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, which will join the Air Force in the next 15-20 years. Following the planes’ formal indictment in September, the second batch of Rafale fighter jets arrived in India in November.
The twin-engine Rafale jets are capable of carrying out a variety of missions ‘ ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike deterrence.
The Rafales carrying the long-range Meteor air to air missiles have given an edge to Indian planes over their Chinese and Pakistani rivals.
The planes equipped with the Hammer missiles have enhanced their capability to carry out air to ground strikes like the one in Balakot.