The first tranche of the batch of 36 jets will include five aircrafts, including two trainer crafts, in which two pilots can sit. It is to be noted that12 IAF pilots and engineering crew members are fully trained on the Rafale fighter jets.
It was earlier reported that the final induction ceremony will take place in the second half of August 20. Also Read: India Records Worst-Ever Spike With Nearly 50K Cases In Single Day; Total Tally Breaches 14 Lakh Mark
Rafale to provide much needed muscle to Indian defence:
The five aircrafts are likely to join the Indian Air Force by July end. The addition will provide the much-needed muscle to the force at a time when tense situation along the borders are prevailing on ground. The military of India as of now is locked in border tensions with China and multiple standoffs with it along the northern border, while it is dealing with repeated ceasefire violation and infiltration bids by Pakistan along the western border. Also Read | 1999 Kargil War: The Infantryman's Indomitable Spirit And Bofor Guns' Booming Firepower Proved Decisive In Operation Vijay's Success
Addition of Rafale to India’s airpower can be a game-changer for India’s defence and could tip the balance.
Rafale can carry a range of potent weapons:
The Rafale fighter aircraft will be armed with beyond visual range missiles like Meteor, SCALP and MICA, increasing their ability to take on incoming targets from a distance.
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The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA''s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.
Besides the missile systems, the Rafale jets will come with various India-specific modifications, including Israeli helmet-mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low-band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems among others.
(additional inputs from agenies)