The Indian Air Force formally inducted the Rafale fighter jets in a special induction ceremony on September 10, 2020 at the Ambala airbase in Haryana. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly attended the ceremony along with Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.
The Rafale aircraft were formally inducted into the IAF with a Sarva Dharma Puja followed by an air display of the fighter jets and a water cannon salute. Indian Air Force’s indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas performed during the Rafale induction ceremony. IAF's 'Sarang Aerobatic Team' also performed at the special event.
#WATCH Indian Air Force’s 'Sarang Aerobatic Team' performs at the Rafale induction ceremony in Ambala pic.twitter.com/KI4X3cHAl7
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
While speaking on the occasion, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria stated that the induction could not have happened at a more opportune time considering the current security scenario.
This induction could not have happened at a more opportune time considering the security scenario today: Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria at Rafale induction ceremony at Ambala pic.twitter.com/EeI99egs04
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Defence Minister's Statement
While addressing the occasion, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the induction of Rafale into IAF represents the strong ties between India and France. He said that with this, the strategic ties between the two countries have also strengthened.
The induction of Rafale into IAF also represents the strong ties between India and France. The strategic ties between our two countries have also strengthened: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Ambala airbase pic.twitter.com/vmYfzu5Gi1
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Rajnath Singh stated that the induction of the Rafale aircraft is a big and stern message for the entire world, especially those eyeing India's sovereignty. "This induction is important considering the kind of atmosphere at our borders or should I say the kind of atmosphere created at our borders, " Defense Minister said.
The Defence Minister further highlighted that during his recent foreign trip to Russia, he had put the point of view of India in front of the world. He said that he had also made everyone aware of India's resolve to not compromise our sovereignty and territorial integrity under any circumstances.
In my recent foreign trip, I put the point of view of India in front of the world. I also made everyone aware of our resolve to not compromise our sovereignty&territorial integrity under any circumstances. We're committed to doing everything possible towards this:Defence Minister https://t.co/bXuprCzobu
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
While referring to recent border incident, the Defence Minister praised the Indian Air Force saying that during the recent unfortunate incident at the border, the swift and deliberate action taken by Indian Air Force near LAC shows their commitment. He further highlighted that the speed at which IAF deployed its assets at forward bases creates confidence that our Air Force is fully prepared to fulfil its operational obligations.
The speed at which IAF deployed its assets at forward bases creates confidence that our Air Force is fully prepared to fulfil its operational obligations: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh https://t.co/67lrE1f2XH
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
French Defence Minister's Statement
The Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly called the induction of the Rafale aircraft into the IAF an achievement for both India and France. She stated that together the two nations are writing a new chapter in India-France defence ties.
The French Defence Minister further extended their full support to India's 'Make in India' initiative and to the further integration of the Indian manufacturers in their global supply chain.
We are fully committed to 'Make in India' initiative, as well as, to the further integration of the Indian manufacturers in our global supply chain: Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly https://t.co/VdwR0NGrno
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
The French Minister of the Armed Forces also reiterated that France supports India’s candidacy for the UN Security Council.
France supports India’s candidacy for the UN Security Council: French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parley pic.twitter.com/cAG6YerUxb
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Following the statements by the two Defence Ministers, Rajnath Singh presented a memento to French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parley. He also presented an induction scroll of Rafale fighter jets to the 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' Group Captain and Commanding Officer Harkeerat Singh.
Ambala: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presents induction scroll of Rafale fighter jets to Group Captain Harkeerat Singh, Commanding Officer, 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' of the Indian Air Force pic.twitter.com/Vb19HhyPqt
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Sarva Dharma Puja
Both the Defence Ministers witnessed the traditional 'Sarva Dharma Puja' at the Rafale induction ceremony at the Ambala IAF airbase.
#WATCH Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly, witness the traditional 'Sarva Dharma Puja' at the Rafale induction ceremony, at Ambala airbase pic.twitter.com/0z74ECflJd
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Air Display of Rafale Fighter Jets
Following the traditional Puja, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly witnessed air display of Rafale fighter aircraft flanked by SU-30 and Jaguar aircraft in arrow formation.
Ambala: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly witness air display of Rafale fighter aircraft flanked by SU-30 and Jaguar aircraft in arrow formation pic.twitter.com/l6lAbTNsNJ
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Watch Rafale aircraft flying at low-speed during an air display at Ambala Indian Air Force base.
#WATCH Rafale fighter aircraft flying at low-speed during an air display at Indian Air Force base in Ambala pic.twitter.com/8UhgbROzRN
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Water Cannon Salute Accorded to Rafale
During the induction ceremony, water cannon salute was accorded to the five Rafale fighter aircraft at Ambala airbase.
Haryana: Water cannon salute given to the five Rafale fighter aircraft at Ambala airbase pic.twitter.com/EeOO3rSbNf
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020
Significance |
| The Rafale fighter aircraft armed with air-to-air missile Meteor and air-to-ground missiles Hammer and SCALP will provide a much-needed edge to the Indian Air Force over its adversaries in the neighbourhood- China and Pakistan. The advanced fighter jet will be a part of the 17 Golden Arrows squadron of the Air Force. Within 24 hours of touching down, the fighter aircraft began extensive training. The fighter aircraft have been familiarising with the terrain over which they have to fly in different parts of the country. They have already flown over the Ladakh region. |
Background
India had signed the historic Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets in a fly-away condition in September 2016. The Rafale jets are developed by a French firm Dassault Aviation. The deal was finalised under the tenure of late Manohar Parrikar, who was the Defence Minister at that time.
The current Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had gone to France to accept the first Rafale for India in October 2019 on the auspicious festival of Dussehra and also flew in the aircraft after performing 'Shastra Puja' with traditional Hindu rituals.
French Defence Minister Florence Parly was invited to attend the Rafale Induction Ceremony to mark the strategic friendship between India and France. The five Rafale fighter jets arrived in India from France on July 29. The five Rafales that have been delivered to India from France include three single-seater and two twin-seaters.
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation