India receives its first Rafale multirole fighter from France’s Dassault

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defense Minister Florence Parly with the first Rafael fighter for India. Photo c/o AFP.

French aviation giant Dassault Aviation has handed over the first Rafale twin-engine multirole fighter to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Dassault’ facility in Bordeaux-Mérignac on 8 October 2019.

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh led the acceptance of the aircraft, a tandem-seater with tail number RB001, which is the first of 36 ordered by the Indian government on September 2016 under a EUR7.9 billion (USD8.78 billion) contract.

Min. Singh mentioned that the Rafale fighter would enhance the IAF’s capabilities and strengthen India’s relations with France.

The second Rafale fighter for India, a tandem-seater with tail number RB002, was also seen recently conducting flight tests

The IAF is expected to assign the Rafales to their 17 “Golden Arrow” Squadron, which was recently reactivated on 10 September after the unit was deactivated in 2011 after retiring the unit’s MiG-21 Fishbed. The unit will be based in Ambala Air Force Station near the border with Pakistan. Another squadron is set to receive the Rafales and will be stationed near the Chinese border.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] India Today
[3] Business Insider

India receives its first Rafale multirole fighter from France’s Dassault India receives its first Rafale multirole fighter from France’s Dassault Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on October 10, 2019 Rating: 5

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