Amid tensions along Pakistan and China borders, four Rafale fighters to arrive in India by July-end

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New Delhi: At a time when India is facing tensions along the border with China and Pakistan, New Delhi will receive a major boost as the first consignment of Rafale fighter aircraft would start getting inducted into the Indian Air Force at Ambala by July-end. 

However, the final date for the arrival of the Rafales is yet to be decided and there is a possibility of change due to the coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown in India and France. The arrival of Rafales, 36 of which will arm two IAF squadrons, has already been delayed due to the outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19.

As per schedule, the delivery of aircraft was earlier supposed to have been done by May end but this got delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

"The first four aircraft including three twin-seater trainer aircraft and one single-seater fighter aircraft would start arriving by the end of July at the Ambala airbase. The trainers will have the tail numbers of the RB series in honour of the Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria who played a pivotal role in finalising India’s largest-ever defence deal for 36 Rafale combat aircraft," defence sources told ANI here. 

The first aircraft to be flown in is planned to be piloted by the Commanding Officer of the 17 Golden Arrows' squadron along with a French pilot, they said.

According to ANI, the aircraft on their way from France to India would be refuelled by a French Air Force tanker aircraft in the air before they make a stopover in the Middle East.  From the Middle East to India, there would be one mid-air fuelling done by the Indian IL-78 tanker before they land in the country. 

Meanwhile, the first batch of seven Indian pilots has also finished their training at a French airbase while the second batch would be going to France as soon as the lockdown measures are relaxed in both countries. 

Post lockdown, India received the first consignment of equipment from France when a cargo plane landed in Delhi last week and more equipment would arrive in the near future.