First batch of Rafale jets to arrive in India today

The jets, which are meant for India's defence sector, flew out of France on Monday.

Chief of Air Staff RKS Bhadauria will be present at the strategically key airbase at Ambala to receive the jets.

The airbase, which is 200 kms away from the Pakistan border, is under strict security.

Large gatherings have been banned in the nearby villages, reports said.

The five jets are the first tranche of 36 planes which were bought by India from France in 2016.

The deal, which was later hit by political controversy back in New Delhi, was signed at Rs. 59,000 crore.

The jets will arrive at Ambala after covering a distance of nearly 7,000 kms from France to India with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop en route in UAE.

The first Rafale fighter jet was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Oct, 2019 in a ceremony attended by the French Minister for Armed Forces Madame Florence Parly and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

In accordance with the contract, IAF pilots and supporting personnel have been provided full training on aircraft and weapon systems by Dassault.

India's Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf was there to see off the first batch of Rafale jets in France on Monday. 

The long awaited and much needed two squadrons of Rafale would add great strength to IAF and our defence capabilities, Ashraf had said.