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Tag: Rafale Jets

  • Delivery of Rafale jets to India will be completed by April 2022: French envoy

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Thirty Rafale fighter jets manufactured by French firm Dassault Aviation have been delivered to India so far and the remaining six will be handed over by April 2022 as part of an inter-governmental agreement signed five years ago, Ambassador of France Emmanuel Lenain said on Thursday.

    He said it is a matter of pride for France that despite the COVID-19 pandemic which forced factories to close down for weeks, it was able to deliver the aircraft on time.

    “In France, teams have been working extra shifts. They have been working nights and weekends sometimes to be able to fulfil the commitment. That is what trust is about.”

    “As of today, 29 (jets) have been ferried to India and 30 have been delivered to India. We are fully on time and we are going to reach the target of having all 36 delivered by April of next year,” Lenain said.

    ALSO READ | BJP-Congress slugfest on new Rafale pay-off report

    The envoy said India and France have been cooperating for decades in the field of defence.

    Fighter jets are first handed over to the Indian Air Force in France and they are later flown to India.

    The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29 last year.

    In 2016, India and France signed an inter-governmental agreement under which Paris is to provide 36 Rafale fighter jets to New Delhi.

    The Rs 58,000-crore deal invited criticism from the opposition, particularly the Congress which has alleged financial irregularities while procuring the fighter jets.

    ​ALSO READ | Operation cover-up by Modi government in Rafale deal once again exposed: Congress

    The Centre has repeatedly denied any financial irregularity in purchase of the multi-role combat aircraft.

    French investigative portal Mediapart, in fresh revelations, has alleged bogus invoices were used that enabled Dassault Aviation to pay at least 7.5 million euros in secret commissions to a middleman to help it secure the Rafale deal with India.

    When asked about the recent revelations by Mediapart, the French envoy declined to comment.

    Lenain was speaking during his visit to the French navy’s air defence destroyer ‘Chevalier Paul’, which arrived in Mumbai on Thursday.

    The Chevalier Paul, a Horizon-class air defence destroyer, is currently deployed in the Indian Ocean as part of France’s permanent military presence in the region.

    Defence is an important pillar of the India-France relationship and the two countries have been cooperating for decades now, Lenain said.

    “It (the port call of the ship to Mumbai) is a nice symbol of our joint commitment to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

  • Rafale deliveries to India ahead of schedule, says French Ambassador Lenain

    By PTI

    HYDERABAD: Aerospace major Dassault Aviation is expected to deliver all 36 Rafale jets well before the schedule despite lockdown for a few days to contain the spread of COVID-19 in France, French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said on Friday.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the fourth edition of Indo-French Investment Conclave here, organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI), Lenain said firms belonging to the European country have invested over 10 Billion Euros in India providing employment to 2.50 lakh Indians.

    “It ( delivery of aircraft) will be ahead of the schedule. We are very proud of that. In spite of Covid it has not been disturbed at all on the contrary,” the envoy said.

    India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

    The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29 last year “The factory producing Rafale was closed (during lockdown). We had a commitment to India. After the lockdown teams worked extra shifts working nights and weekends to make sure that these planes were delivered on time. And so right now Dassault has delivered to India 29 and 26 have already been ferried to India,” he said.

    Describing the recent developments in Afghanistan as “worrying” , the Ambassador said some of the countries including France have asked the Taliban regime to allow free flow of humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered country besides not to provide shelter for terrorists.

    “Today they have not fulfilled any and that is deeply worrying. They can’t ask us any form of recognition until they fulfilled some of these commitments,” he further said.

    On the Indo-French trade, the Ambassador said the trade volumes are not big as most of the companies from his country prefer investing in India rather than exporting.

    “We are doing local investment a lot. So far French companies have invested more than 10 Billion Euros in India and it is going very fast and they are employing 250,000 Indians,” he explained.

    In 2020, the India-France bilateral trade stood at 9.04 billion euros (-21.99 per cent) as compared to the previous year.

    India’s exports to France were valued at 4.80 billion euros, down by 22.9 per cent during this period.

    Indian imports from France also decreased by 20.95 per cent to 4.23 billion euros, according to Indian official figures.

  • Induction of Rafale aircraft into Indian Air Force by 2022: IAF Chief 

    By PTI
    HYDERABAD: IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria on Saturday said the induction of 36 Rafale aircraft into the Indian Air Force would take place by 2022.

    The IAF is absolutely on target with respect to the Rafale induction plan, he said while responding to a reporters’ query on timeline for receiving the 36 fighter jets from France.

    “The target is 2022. It is absolutely on target. I mentioned earlier. Except for one or two aircraft, minor delays because of COVID related issues, but, in fact, some deliveries have been ahead of time. So, broadly, we are absolutely on target on the Rafale induction plan.

    “On the operationalisation plan, you are aware, we are fully operational..so, in terms of time, we will be absolutely on time,” he told reporters after reviewing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal here.

    In 2016, India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36-Rafale jets at a cost Rs 59,000 crore.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had in February said the country would have the entire fleet of the fighter aircraft by April 2022.

    Asked for his assessment on the situation in eastern Ladakh on the Indo-China border, the IAF Chief said talks are on between the two sides and the first attempt is to continue with the parleys and carry out the disengagement at the “balance friction points.”

    “The first attempt is to continue with the talks and do the disengagement at the balance friction points. And, of course, follow it up with de-escalation,” he said.

    “However, in parallel, the ground realities are being monitored closely.

    Whatever is the reality across, in terms of current leftover locations, deployments, any changes, that is being monitored closely and whatever actions are required on our part, we are taking, Bhadauria said.

  • Fifth batch of Rafale aircrafts arrive in India from France

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday said the fifth batch of the Rafale aircraft arrived in India after flying a distance of almost 8,000 km from France. The IAF did not disclose the number of aircraft that landed in India but people familiar with the development said four jets were part of the new batch.

    The IAF said mid-air refuelling to the fleet was provided by the air forces of France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 Apr. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000 Kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation,” it said in a tweet.

    After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 Apr. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000Kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation. pic.twitter.com/jp81vODCp2
    — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 21, 2021

    Earlier, the aircraft were flagged off from the Merignac airbase in France by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, who is on a visit to France. The IAF chief also visited a Rafale aircraft training centre on the third day of his five-day visit to the European country.

    #Rafale takes off!@MEAIndia @JawedAshraf5 @IAF_MCC @SpokespersonMoD @rajnathsingh @PMOIndia @harshvshringla @narendramodi @DDNewslive @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/BIvd1RKkgu
    — India in France (@Indian_Embassy) April 21, 2021

    “Air Chief Mshl RKS Bhadauria on an official tour to France lauds pilots & sees off the next batch of Rafales on a non stop flight to India with mid air refueling by French Air force & UAE. Thanks France esp FASF & French Industry for timely delivery & pilot training on schedule despite covid,” the Indian Embassy in France wrote on Twitter.

    In his brief remarks, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said some of the Rafale aircraft have been delivered a “little bit” ahead of time and it has contributed to the overall combat potential of the IAF. Ahead of his visit, military officials in Delhi said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria’s trip to France is expected to boost cooperation between the IAF and the French Air and Space Force (FASF).

    “This ferry, which is the fifth from here, marks the end of the third batch of our pilots and all our maintenance crew. The Rafale training centre has provided world-class training and it is because of the level and quality of training that we were able to operationalise the aircraft quickly,” he said.

    The IAF chief also thanked the French government and the French air force for providing the required support for the training programme as well as for the ferrying of the aircraft to India. The arrival of the new batch of the aircraft will pave the way for the IAF to raise a second squadron of Rafale jets.

    The new squadron will be based at the Hasimara air base in West Bengal. The first Rafale squadron is based at the Ambala air force station. A squadron comprises around 18 aircraft.

    India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore. With the arrival of the new batch, the number of Rafale jets with the IAF has gone up to 18.The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29 last year.

    On Tuesday, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria held talks with General Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of the FASF, on ways to further expand cooperation between the two sides.

  • Three more Rafale jets leave for India from France

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A third batch of three more Rafale fighter jets on Wednesday took off from France for a non-stop flight to India, in a further boost to the strike capability of the Indian Air Force.

    The Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) of the United Arab Emirates will provide mid-air refuelling to the three Rafale jets, according to the Indian Embassy in France.

    “Three more #Rafale jets take off from France for a non stop flight to India with mid air refueling by UAE MRTT; Adding more strength to India’s air power. Wishing our amazing pilots smooth flight&safe landing with superb fighter jets,” it tweeted.

    ALSO READ | In ‘Brahmastra’ and ‘Eklavya’ formations, Rafale makes debut on Republic Day flypast

    The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, 2020, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.

    The second batch of three Rafale jets arrived in India on November 3.

    The Rafale jets, manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.

    The new fleet of Rafale jets has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh.

    The Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons.

    European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Scalp cruise missile and MICA weapons system will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.

    The IAF is also procuring a new generation medium-range modular air-to-ground weapon system Hammer to integrate with the Rafale jets.

    ALSO READ | CDS General Bipin Rawat to fly in a French Rafale fighter

    Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a precision-guided missile developed by French defence major Safran.

    The missile was originally designed and manufactured for the French Air Force and Navy.

    Meteor is the next generation of BVR air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat.

    The weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.

    The first squadron of the Rafale jets is stationed at Ambala air base while the second one will be based at Hasimara base in West Bengal.

  • Live Rafale Fighter Jet: Rafale Jets arrive at Ambala Airbase, Rajnath Singh confirms

    Rafale Fighter Jet in India: The clock that the whole country had been waiting for the last two days has now arrived. Of the 36 state-of-the-art Rafale aircraft being purchased from France, Rafale has finally landed at Ambala airbase at 3.20 pm today after a long wait. The country’s defense minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed the landing of the fighter jets. He has also shared a video of Rafael’s touchdown.

    Congratulating Rafael’s arrival, he wrote that this is the beginning of a new era in the military history of India.

    The jets entered the Indian airway a long time ago and were also welcomed by INS Kolkata stationed in the Indian Ocean. His first picture has also been revealed in the Indian air range. In this, it is seen with Sukhoi MKI30.

    Special preparations have been made for the arrival of these fighter jets. The consignment of 5 aircraft, covering a distance of about 7,000 km, reached Ambala Airbase this afternoon where they were welcomed by Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. After landing at Ambala airbase, these fighter jets were given water cells.

    Tight security arrangements were made at the airbase before the arrival of Rafale planes and the 3 km radius was declared a no drone zone. Also this place was also declared as No Photography Zone. The security arrangements were tightened even before Rafale arrived at the Ambala airbase. Officers kept busy all day in the hangars and shelters in which Rafael will be erected.

    The first plane of the batch of 5 aircraft was landed by Group Captain Harkirat Singh at Ambala Airbase. Captain Harkirat Singh is the Commanding Officer and Shaurya Chakra winner of the 17th Golden Arrow Squadron of the Air Force.

    These aircraft flew from the Marignac airbase of France on Monday. According to photographs released on Tuesday by the Indian embassy in France, the French tanker aircraft also fueled these aircraft at an altitude of about 30,000 feet.

    The Indian Air Force tweeted, “The Indian Air Force appreciates the help given by the French Air Force in the journey of our Rafale aircraft.” The five Rafale aircraft landed at the Al Dhafra airbase of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday evening, after more than seven hours of flying, officials said. This is the only stopover of these aircraft in a flight from France to India. From here, these aircraft will fly to Ambala on Wednesday morning. If the weather is bad then these planes will be landed at Jodhpur airbase.

    The seven Air Force pilots carrying the planes are led by Group Captain Harkirat Singh. All these pilots will follow the Kovid-19 protocol before beginning their operational flying.

    Of these five Rafale aircraft, three are one-seater and two aircraft are two-seater. These aircraft will be included in the 17th Squadron, also known as the “Golden Arrows”. The formal induction of these aircraft into the Air Force is likely to take place in mid-August.

    It may be noted that the first Rafale aircraft was assigned to the Indian Air Force in October last year when Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited France. The arrival of these aircraft will significantly increase the combat capability of the Indian Air Force at a time when tensions between India and China are continuing along the border in East Ladakh.

    It is known that India had signed a deal with French aerospace company Dasou on 23 September 2016 to buy 36 Rafale aircraft for 59,000 crores. Of these, 30 will be one-seater and six will be two-seater. Two-seater aircraft are training aircraft, but will have all the features of combat aircraft. Rafale’s first squadron will be stationed at Ambala, the second at the Hasimara airbase in Bengal.