Rajnath Receives First Rafale

First batch to arrive in May; Minister says the jets will boost India’s air dominance

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally received the first Rafale fighter jet built for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in France on Tuesday. However, the first batch of the jets will arrive in India only in May 2020.

“I am told that Rafale is a French word meaning gust of wind. I am sure the aircraft will live up to its name. I believe Rafale will boost India’s air dominance exponentially to ensure peace and security in the region,” Mr. Singh said, speaking at the handover ceremony. He was handed over the first Indian aircraft, RB-001, by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier.

After the ceremony, Mr. Singh performed shastra puja on the aircraft, on the occasion of Vijayadashami, and also flew a sortie on it. Later, he held the Annual Defence Dialogue with his French counterpart Florence Parly, the Defence Ministry said.

Speaking to journalists after the sortie, Mr. Singh said India is procuring the Rafales for self-defence and as a deterrent. “By February 2021, we will receive 18 Rafale jets and by April 2022, we will get all the 36 Rafale,” he said.