India's Rafale Response

Huge boost to India’s air firepower as Rajnath receives first Rafale jet in France, performs ‘shastra puja’ & does a sortie

- Abhishek Bhalla in Merignac (France)

"The Rafale will enhance the strike capabilities of the Indian Air Force. India has never eyed any country and these potent aircraft will never be used to attack any country but act as a deterrent."

"Rafale in Hindi means Aandhi — gust of winds. I am sure it will live up to its name". — RAJNATH SINGH, DEFENCE MINISTER

"Cultural ties and friendship between the two countries go far beyond strategic links. This is now embodied with Rafale and that’s the best that France can offer to India. More than any other country, France is committed to the Make in India initiative." — FLORENCE PARLY, FRENCH DEFENCE MINISTER

THE Indian Air Force (IAF) will be ready to fully operationalise one squadron of Rafale fighter jets in the Western Sector, which deals with threats from Pakistan, by February 2021, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told India Today TV.

India Today TV was at Ground Zero in Merignac, France, close to the town of Bordeaux where the ceremony to hand over the first Rafale to the IAF took place on Tuesday.

“Rafale will enhance the strike capabilities of the Indian Air Force. India has never eyed any country and these potent aircraft will never be used to attack any country but act as a deterrent,” the Defence Minister told India Today TV.

If need be, Rafale can also be nuclear-enabled, making it more lethal. While the first squadron will be operational from Amabala in the Western Sector, the other one will come up in Hasimara in West Bengal to combat the Chinese threat.