The fighter aircrafts took off from the Merignac airbase in southern France and will arrive in India on July 29. This batch of jets include 3 single seater and 2 twin-seater aircrafts. India purchased 36 Rafale jets in a deal worth a whopping 7.87 billion euros. These jets will officially be inducted into the Indian Airforce Fleet on Wednesday in Haryana.
The Indian embassy in France said this is a historic event and strengthen ties and cooperation between France and India. The Indian embassy also tweeted a video titled “Beauty and the Beast”, showcasing Rafale jets ready for take off.
"Beauty and the Beast"- #Rafale Fighter Aircraft. Ready to take off @MEAIndia @JawedAshraf5 @gouvernementFR @Dassault_OnAir @rajnathsingh @DefenceMinIndia @DDNewslive @ANI @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/TTAi6DHun7
— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020
Ambassador @JawedAshraf5
— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020
visited the Rafale Assembly line, training facilities and interacted with officials from @Dassault_OnAir@gouvernementFR @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @DDNewslive @ANI @IAF_MCC @DefenceMinIndia @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/ccrEPIVwkY
Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf also tweeted a heartfelt message in a video congratulating all the pilots who will be flying this aircraft.
Proud to see off first five Rafale to India - swift, nimble, versatile, advanced and lethal.
— Jawed Ashraf (@JawedAshraf5) July 27, 2020
Real beauty and beast!
Flown by IAF Pilots - world’s best!
Boost India’s defence and India-France ties. Safe landing!@Indian_Embassy @MEAIndia @PMOIndia @harshvshringla @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/r6tk6uLyQ1
India got its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh on October 8, 2019. According to the Indian mission in France all 36 aircraft will be delivered by 2021 year end.