India receives three more Rafale jets from France, fleet grows to 11

The third batch of three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) reached the Jamnagar airbase from France around 8.30 pm on Wednesday

The Indian Air Force will get three more Rafale fighter jets adding to the current fleet of eight . With the induction of these aircraft, the number of Rafale fighter jets has increased to eleven.

India’s third consignment of three Rafale fighter jet is scheduled to join the Indian Air Force’s solitary Rafale squadron.

The third set of deliveries of the French-origin aircraft took off from France on Wednesday and arrived at the Jamnagar airbase around 8.30 pm on Wednesday.

“Three more Rafale jets take off from Flag of France for a non-stop flight to India with mid-air refuelling by UAE MRTT; Adding more strength to Flag of India's air power. Wishing our amazing pilots smooth flight & safe landing with superb fighter jets,” the Indian Embassy in France tweeted on Wednesday.

India has signed an inter-governmental deal with France to buy 36 of these fighter jets at a cost of Rs. 59,000 crores in September 2016.

While the first squadron of the Rafale jets will be operational from Ambala airbase, the second one will be based at Hashimara in West Bengal to combat the Chinese threat. The new fleet will be part of 17 Squadron of the IAF which was resurrected on September 10, 2020.

The newly inducted Rafale jets were featured for the first time in the Republic Day parade on Tuesday as it carried out the 'Vertical Charlie' formation.