3 Rafale Jets To Arrive In February, One To Be Delivered Only After Its Trials Are Over: IAF Chief

The Air Force Chief noted that 32 of the 36 promised Rafales have already been delivered and that three of the other four is scheduled to be delivered by February next year

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. (Source: Twitter/@ANI)

New Delhi: Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), expressed gratitude towards France on Saturday for delivering the Dassault Rafale fighter planes on schedule and provided a timeline for the rest of the twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft to India.

The Air Force Chief noted that 32 of the 36 promised Rafales have already been delivered and that three of the other four is scheduled to be delivered by February next year, with the last one being delivered only when all of its trials are completed.

"Last aircraft which will have India-specific enhancements will be delivered after all its trials conclude. We discussed with Defence Minister, future maintenance issues of Rafale & setting up of D-level maintenance in India," IAF Chief said.

 

Last aircraft which will have India-specific enhancements will be delivered after all its trials conclude. We discussed with Defence Minister, future maintenance issues of Rafale & setting up of D-level maintenance in India: IAF chief on discussions with French delegation (2/2) pic.twitter.com/xgQsV2HDxO

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2021

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari also spoke about the ongoing India-China border conflict, saying that while soldiers had withdrawn from some places in Ladakh, "full disengagement has not yet occurred."

"The Air Force will continue to maintain deployment. We are prepared to take on any challenge that we may face in the area," he further said.

Moreover, French Minister of Defence Florence Parly recently stated that France is willing to deliver additional Rafale fighter planes to India if and when the request is made.