Rafale Deal: India to Receive First Jet on September 20; Rajnath Singh, IAF Chief BS Dhanoa to Visit France

New Delhi, August 21: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa will be in France on September 20 to receive the first Rafale jet. The first Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter jet will be delivered to Indian Air Force in a ceremony in the presence of various defence and civilian bureaucrats.

Confirming the report, IAF sources said, as quoted by India Today, "In the presence of the IAF Chief, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will accept the aircraft in presence of various defence and civilian bureaucrats there." Apart from the Indian official, a large contingent from the French government as well will participate in the event. IAF to Receive First Rafale Jet From France in 3rd Week of September: Reports

According to the information, 24 pilots from the Indian Air Force would be trained in three different batches for flying the Indian Rafales till May next year. It is expected that Dassault Aviation would give 36 Rafale fighter jets till May next year.

Earlier in 2016, India signed a deal to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets for over Euro 7.8 billion with the French government and Dassault Aviation. The aim for this deal was to strengthen the Indian Air Force and meet the urgent requirements on the eastern and western fronts. Reports also state that IAF will deploy one each squadron of the Rafale combat aircraft at its airbases in Ambala in Haryana and Hashimara in Bengal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2019 07:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).