India is all set to receive the last four Rafale fighters from France on February 1, all of them fully equipped with India specific enhancements to fight any regional adversary.
It is understood that three Rafale fighters are expected to leave Istres-Le Tube air base, north-west of Marseille in south France, around February 1-2 depending on the weather conditions and arrive in India after due mid-air refueling by close ally, the United Arab Emirates Air Force, using Airbus multi-role transport tankers, according to a report.
The Indian Navy is looking for 57 combat aircraft for its second aircraft carrier and the French Rafale aircraft is one of the contenders.
India signed its biggest ever defense deal with France in 2016 as part of which 36 Rafale aircraft were to be inducted into the Air Force.
More than 30 planes have already arrived while the last few will be here by the end of this financial year.
India deployed the French aircraft swiftly along the border in the standoff with China.
Earlier in December, French Defense Minister Florence Parly said her country is ready to provide additional Rafale fighter jets to India if it requires and noted that the use of the same aircraft by the two strategic partners is a reflection of “real asset and strength” in their ties.
The Air Force Chief’s remarks on Rafale comes a day after French Defense Minister Florence Parly, citing close strategic ties between India and France, said that her country was ready to provide more Rafale combat aircraft if India wants them.
In New Delhi for the annual defense dialogue between the two countries, the French Defense Minister also targeted China for behaving aggressively in the region including the South China Sea where it attempts to hamper freedom of navigation in open seas.
“We as France are ready to answer any additional needs or requests that could be made by India. We know that an aircraft carrier will soon be delivered. Aircraft are needed. So we are open and ready to provide any other Rafale if this is India’s decision,” Ms Parly said in an interaction at the Ananta Centre think tank.
The French Defense Minister pointed out that the Indian Navy was soon to get the delivery of its second aircraft carrier INS Vikrant for which it would need more fighter aircraft.
France has delivered 30 Rafale aircraft to India. Six more are set to be delivered by April next year.
The Indian Navy is looking for 57 combat aircraft for its second aircraft carrier and the French Rafale aircraft is one of the contenders.
India signed its biggest ever defense deal with France in 2016 as part of which 36 Rafale aircraft were to be inducted into the Air Force. More than 30 planes have already arrived while the last few will be here by the end of this financial year.
India deployed the French aircraft swiftly along the border in the standoff with China.
