Rajnath Singh reaches France to take delivery of Rafale fighter jet

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take the delivery of the first sophisticated and state of the art Rafale fighter jet in France on Tuesday after performing 'Shastra Puja', a ritual involving the worship of weapons, as per Indian traditions.

Shastra Puja has been a part of Indian tradition for thousands of years. Rajput warrior king Maharana Pratap used to perform Shastra Puja before going into battle against his enemies. On Vijayadashmi, keeping to the tradition, people still perform Shastra Puja.

Rajnath Singh will undertake a sortie on a Rafale fighter jet after receiving the first of 36 fighter jets in France to mark the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashmi. According to the plan, a French pilot will fly in the front cockpit of the Rafale while Singh will sit in the rear seat.