‘It’s a deterrent, not a sign of aggression’: Rajnath after Rafale sortie

Rajnath, who is on a three-day visit to France, said the handover event marks a new milestone in Indo-France relations. “I am happy that the delivery of Rafale aircraft is on schedule, I am confident that this will add further strength to our Air Force. I wish cooperation between our two major democracies further increases in all sectors,” he said.

A view shows the first Rafale fighter jet to the Indian Air Force during a ceremony at the factory of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation in Merignac near Bordeaux, France. (REUTERS)

“Today marks a new milestone in India-France strategic partnership. I look forward to taking a sortie in the Rafale aircraft,” he said. This was Rajnath’s second sortie in a fighter jet in a span of a month. He earlier flew in the indigenously built aircraft LCA Tejas which was recently inducted in the Indian Air Force.

Earlier in the day, Rajnath met French President Emmanuel Macron and held discussions on strengthening India-France defence and strategic ties. He was then flown to Mérignac in a french military aircraft where he officially received the Rafale jet. He performed Shastra Puja on the occasion of Dusshera which coincides with the 87th Air Force Day being marked in India.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh thumbs up as he sits in a Rafale jet fighter during a handover ceremony at the Dassault Aviation plant in Merignac. (AP Photo)

Ahead of his talks with Macron, Singh also held discussions with French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly. Admiral Bernard Rogel, Defence Advisor to the French President, was also part of the meeting.

“We have a multi-dimensional relationship with France and the ties are progressing on all fronts. The talks today are part of a comprehensive defence dialogue between the two countries,” defence secretary Ajay Kumar was quoted as saying by PTI.

Rajnath Singh formally accepted the first Rafale fighter jet after India had signed a deal with the French government and Dassault Aviation in September 2016, to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

Later in the day, Rajnath was flown to Mérignac, a suburb of the south-western French town of Bordeaux, where he was given a tour of the Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation’s facility.

Air Chief Rakesh Bhadauria’s initials on first Rafale jet

The first Rafale jet will come with tail number RB 001, with RB denoting the initials of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria who played a key role in striking the deal for the jets in his previous role as IAF deputy chief. Bhadauria took charge of the IAF on September 01 after the retirement of former chief ACM BS Dhanoa.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria calls on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after taking over as the 26th Chief of Air Staff. (PTI)

India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016. While the formal handover ceremony took place today, the first batch of four Rafale jets will fly to their home base in India by May 2020. The IAF has already completed preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome the fighter aircraft.

The aircraft will be deployed at Ambala air force station, considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from there. The second squadron of Rafale will be stationed at Hasimara base in West Bengal.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits the assembly line for Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets before a ceremony at the factory of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, October 8, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The manufacturers describe it as a fully versatile aircraft which can carry out all combat aviation missions to achieve air superiority and air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. With the IAF fleet phasing out the Migs, Rafale will boost its inventory to gain air superiority in the region.