The first batch of five French Rafale fighters may arrive in India at the end of this month
Indian Air Force spokesman Nandi said on the 20th local time that if weather conditions permit, India’s purchase of the first batch of five French Rafale fighters may be delivered to the Indian Air Force on the 29th of this month.
Nandi said in an interview with the media that at present, many Indian air force pilots and ground crews have received comprehensive training in France and are fully prepared for the arrival of the Rafale fighter.
Nandi also said that after consultation with France, it was originally planned to deliver 4 fighters, but it has been decided to adjust the number of fighters delivered in the first batch to 5. He pointed out that if the weather conditions are good, the five fighters will land on the Ambala Air Force Base near the capital New Delhi on the 29th. According to the plan, the Indian Air Force will refuel in the air before the fighters arrive in India. Upon arrival, the Indian Air Force will hold a formal admission ceremony next month.
India and France formally signed an arms purchase contract worth more than 600 billion rupees (approximately US$8.8 billion) in September 2016 to purchase 36 French Rafale fighters. Affected by the epidemic, the first batch of four Rafale fighters originally scheduled to be delivered by France to the Indian Air Force in May this year was postponed to the end of July. (Headquarters reporter Liao Jiyong)