New Delhi: Amid the ongoing border dispute with China, the Indian Air Force will formally induct the newly acquired Rafale fighter jets on Thursday at its airbase in Ambala  in Haryana. The move shall come as a shot in the arm for the Indian defence at a crucial time when territorial tensions with China are at its peak, giving the much required boost to the IAF.

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The induction programme:

The aircraft will be part of the IAF's 17 Squadron, known as 'Golden Arrows'. It was resurrected in September last year. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Florence Parly, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, will be the chief guest. The induction programme will include ceremonial unveiling of the Rafale aircraft, a traditional 'sarva dharma puja', air display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft as well as Sarang aerobatic team. Afterwards, a traditional water cannon salute will be given to the Rafale aircraft. The programme will culminate with the ceremonial induction of Rafale aircraft to the 17 Squadron.

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How it will be a game-changer for India:

Rafale would be a game changer in the current scenario when India is involved in border tension with China in eastern Ladakh as it will increase India's air power manifold.

While welcoming Rafale, Rajnath had issued a veiled warning to China and had said: “The arrival of five Rafale jets will make the Indian Air Force much stronger to deter any threat facing India and those wanting to threaten the country's territorial integrity should be worried about its new capability.”

Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft and has latest weapons, superior sensors and fully integrated architecture. Rafale is an omni-role aircraft which mean it can carry out at least four missions in one sortie. Further, the aircraft is armed with HAMMER missile, beyond-visual-range missiles like Meteor, SCALP and MICA, thereby increasing its ability to take on incoming targets from a distance.

The first five Rafale aircraft had arrived in Ambala from France on July 27, 2020. The jets flew from the Merignac airbase in the port city of Bordeaux and landed for a stopover at Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates after covering a distance of nearly 7,000 km. A day later, they flew again and landed at the Ambala airbase.