New Bird in the force | Rafale's induction ceremony

Rafale's induction ceremony:  

Today is a historical day for the Indian airforce, one of the most advanced jets in the world is now in our air force. This will help us to increase air supremacy over our airspace. Although the jets had already been delivered to India on the 27th of July of this year their induction wasn't done yet. This is the first batch of Rafale jets more are on the way, the next batch is expected to arrive by October of this year and the last batch will reach by the end of 2021.

This is the first batch of Rafale jets more are on the way, the next batch is expected to arrive by October of this year and the last batch will reach by the end of 2021.

About Rafale :

                                          

The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The fully versatile Rafale is able to carry out all combat aviation missions: air superiority and air defense, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrence. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. With more than 30,000 flight hours in operations, it has proven its worth in combat in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria. The Rafale was ordered by Egypt, Qatar, and India. The jet is manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation.

Performance:

Max. thrust:                     2 x 7.5 t
Limit load factors :         -3.2 g / +9 g
Max. speed:                      750 knots (1,389 km/ph)
Approach speed:              less than 120 knots
Landing ground run:      450 m (1,500 ft) without drag-chute
Service ceiling:                 50,000 ft

Weight:

Overall empty weight:    10 t (22,000 lbs) class
Max. take-off weight:     24.5 t (54,000 lbs)
Fuel(internal):                 4.7 t (10,300 lbs)
Fuel(external):                up to 6.7 t (14,700 lbs)
External load:                 9.5 t (21,000 lbs)

Here are 9 things to know about the first batch of five Rafale jets :

1. The Rafale jets, built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for air-superiority and precision strikes on ground targets, making them truly multirole jets.

                                                                                                                                                                                 

2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar will attend the ceremony.

3. A traditional water cannon salute will be given to the Rafale fleet before its ceremonial induction into the 17 Squadron, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said.

                                                                                                                                                                                       

4. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to buy 36 jets for ₹ 59,000 crore.

                                                                                                                                                                             

5. The French delegation at the ceremony will include French envoy Emmanuel Lenain, Air General Eric Autellet, Vice Chief of French Air Force, Chairman and Chief Executive of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier, and CEO of missile maker MBDA Eric Beranger.

                                                                                                                                                                           

6. After the ceremony, the French Defence Minister and Rajnath Singh will hold talks in Ambala on ways to further deepen bilateral defence and security cooperation. 10 Rafale jets have been delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for training IAF pilots. The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

                                                                                                                                                                               

7. The Rafales are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets. MBDA developed the Meteor to combat common threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Sweden

                                                                                                                                                                                    

8. Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighters and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets. While the first squadron of the Rafale jets will be stationed at Ambala air base, the second will be based at Hasimara in West Bengal.

                                                                                                                                                                              

9. The 17 Squadron of the IAF was resurrected in September last year. It was raised at Air Force Station, Ambala on in October 1951. The 17 Squadron has many firsts to its credit; in 1955 it was equipped with the first jet fighter, the legendary De Havilland Vampire.