Explorer

'The Pack Is Complete': Indian Air Force Says Last Of 36 Rafales Have Landed In India

The last of the 36 IAF Rafale jets landed in India after mid-air refueling in the United Arab Emirates.

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force said Thursday the last of the 36 IAF Rafale jets have landed in India after mid-air refuelling in the United Arab Emirates.

"FEET DRY! 'The Pack is Complete' The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker. Shukran jazeelan," a tweet on the IAF's Twitter account read. 

According to information, 18 jets will be deployed at the Ambala air base situated north of the urban Ambala Cantonment area in Haryana, and the remaining will be deployed at Hasimara Air Force Station in North Bengal.

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 of that year. 

The third batch of three more Rafale fighter jets arrived in India in January 2021.

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

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 are the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.

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

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.

(With inputs from Neeraj Rajput) 

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Harris Vs Trump: When Will The World Know Who Has Won As US Votes To Elect New President
Harris Vs Trump: When Will The World Know Who Has Won As US Votes To Elect New President
'Such Violent Acts Will Never Weaken India’s Resolve': PM Modi Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
'Such Violent Acts Will Never Weaken India’s Resolve': PM Modi Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
US Election News Live: Harris, Trump Make Final Pitch To Pennsylvania Voters Before Historic Vote
US Election News Live: Harris, Trump Make Final Pitch To Pennsylvania Voters Before Historic Vote
Indian Army Resumes Restricted Patrolling At Depsang Plains As Disengagement With China Progresses
Indian Army Resumes Restricted Patrolling At Depsang Plains As Disengagement With China Progresses
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Almora Bus Accident: Bus Carrying 42 Plunges Into Ravine in Uttarakhand | ABP NewsBreaking News: Poster Wars Heat Up in Lucknow Ahead of UP By-Elections | ABP NewsManoj Jarange Makes Bold Declaration Ahead of Maharashtra Elections 2024UP News: Political Resolution Looms for UP's 69,000 Teacher Recruitment Saga Ahead of By-Elections

Photo Gallery

Embed widget