FIVE FRENCH-MADE MULTIROLE RAFALE JETS THAT HAD arrived in India on July 29, 2020, were inducted into the Indian Air Force’s “Golden Arrows” Squadron at the Ambala Air Force Station on Thursday. The induction ceremony was conducted on September 10, 2020 at the country’s oldest Air Force base built in 1919 and was graced by the Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria. The Chief Guest for the ceremony was France’s Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, former Air Force Chief B.S. Dhanoa along with other senior officers of Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Armed Forces were present to mark this important milestone in the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The French delegation was represented by Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, Air General Eric Autellet, Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the French Air Force and other senior officials. A large delegation of senior functionaries of French Defence Industries which included Eric Trappier, Chairman and Chief Executive of Dassault Aviation and Eric Beranger, CEO, MBDA were also present during the ceremony.
Prior to the ceremony, IAF had tweeted, “New bird in the arsenal of IAF”, indicating that it would formally be inducting the Rafale aircraft in the 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ at Air Force Station, Ambala.
The programme started with the ceremonial unveiling of the Rafale aircraft followed by a traditional ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of SP’s Aviation.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2020 edition of SP’s Aviation.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
INDIA'S RICHEST BUYS BBJ
Private jets play a strategic role in allowing business magnates like Ambani to optimise time management, particularly critical given his global business commitments and a packed travel schedule.
PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATES AIRCRAFT COMPLEX FOR MANUFACTURING OF C295 AIRCRAFT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing of C295 aircraft at TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 28, 2024.
GLADYS ROY (1896-1927)
On just her second flight, Gladys Roy co-piloted the plane, stepped out onto its wing and leapt off, floating safely to the ground with a parachute. Then and there she knew that her heart was in daredevil stunts and wing walking.
A BOOST FOR CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
The recently launched India's guidelines for Seaplane Operations simplify certification for non-scheduled entities to operate under the UDAN scheme, eliminating the need for a water drome license and reducing compliance requirements for easier seaplane operations
A DYNAMIC HUB OF BUSINESS AVIATION INNOVATION
2024 NBAA-BACE wrapped up a week of groundbreaking announcements, innovative showcases, and forward-looking discussions that underscore business aviation's vibrant future
SHAPING BUSINESS AVIATION'S FUTURE WITH MILESTONES AND TRENDS
The 2024 NBAA-BACE highlighted major trends including Fractional Ownership, Business Aviation Safety and Security, Sustainability, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Artificial Intelligence in Business Aviation, and overall industry growth
GULFSTREAM FIRST OEM TO LINK-UP WITH STARLINK
This certification enables G650 and G650ER owners to upgrade their in-flight connectivity directly with Gulfstream that can support video calls, cloud-based applications, and data transfers
EFFECT OF MEGA EVENTS ON BUSINESS AVIATION
According to data from WingX Advance, mega events like the Olympics, significantly impact business aviation, driving increased movements across several regions
AIR TAXIS TO SOAR OVER INDIAN SKIES SOON
As India prepares for the launch of air taxi services in 2026, with plans to connect high-traffic areas, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revealed the regulatory framework for 'Vertiports,' paving the way for air taxis to become operational in India
UNFOLDING RATAN TATA'S PASSION FOR AVIATION
\"IT IS WITH A PROFOUND SENSE OF LOSS THAT WE BID FAREWELL to Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,\" N. Chandrasekaran's statement confirmed the news, that hit millions of Indians like a ton of bricks.
