India received 5 of the 36 Rafale jets on 27th July 2020. The fighter jets were a part of a deal signed between India and the French manufacturing company Dassault Rafale. The five jets were received at the Ambala Air Force Station. On 10th September 2020, the jets were inducted to the Indian Air Force’s 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly and India’s top military brass attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rajnath said that the combat aircraft made by the French company Dassault Aviation can be deployed at a short notice at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
The induction was applauded by many politicians globally with many prominent personalities joining the bandwagon. Former Indian Cricket Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also congratulated the Indian Air Force with a series of tweets. He stated,” With the final induction ceremony, the world’s best combat-proven 4.5 generation fighter plane gets the world’s best fighter pilots. In the hands of our pilots and the mix of different aircraft with the IAF the potent bird’s lethality will only increase.” He added, “Wishing The Glorious 17 Squadron(Golden Arrows) all the very best and for all of us hope the Rafale beats the service record of the Mirage 2000 but Su30MKI remains my favorite and the boys get the new target to dogfight with and wait for BVR engagement till their upgrade to Super Sukhoi.”
Fondly known as Captain Cool, Dhoni last month announced his retirement from international cricket. He also holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army unit of the Parachute Regiment (106 Para TA battalion). The congratulatory tweets of Mahi left his fans appalled at his knowledge. While some went gaga others were happy seeing his sense of patriotism.
As for the fighter jet Rafale, it is an Omni-role aircraft which means it can carry out at least four missions in one sortie. It will also be armed with beyond visual range missiles like Meteor, SCALP, and MICA, increasing their capability to take on incoming targets from a distance. Apart from that, it will have HANMER missiles and will be of immense help in facing our oppugners.
