First batch of Rafale jets for India leaves France

The first batch of five Rafale jets flew out of France yesterday and will arrive in India today when the fighter jets will officially be inducted and join the Indian Air Force fleet in Haryana's Ambala. The fighter jets, built by French aviation firm Dassault, took off from the Merignac airbase in southern France's Bordeaux. The five aircraft will be the first tranche of the 36 planes bought by India from France in a Rs 59,000-crore inter-governmental deal in 2016. Twelve IAF pilots and engineering crew members are fully trained on the Rafale fighter jets. The Rafale fighter jets are capable of carrying a range of highly effective weapons, including the Meteor air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile.

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Source: ANN