Twitter
Advertisement

Rajnath Singh leaves for two-day visit to France, will receive first Rafale aircraft

The Union Defence Minister will also perform the Shastra Puja on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra and fly a sortie in the Rafale fighter aircraft.

Latest News
article-main
(ANI Photo)
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday left New Delhi for a two-day visit to France where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and receive the first Rafale aircraft, among other things. A press release by the Government of India's Ministry of Defence, dated Monday, October 7th, confirmed the news. The Defence Minister will also be performing 'Shastra Puja' on October 8 for the occasion of Dussehra and fly a sortie in the Rafale aircraft.

Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter to let know of his Paris tour. "Leaving New Delhi for Paris on a three-day visit to France. Shall attend the Annual Defence Dialogue and the Induction Ceremony of Rafale. India-France bilateral relations have made tremendous progress in recent years. Looking forward to further and deepen these ties," Singh wrote on Twitter.

 

 

"Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will leave New Delhi on Monday, October 7th to France on a two-day visit," the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release stated, "On October 8th morning, Shri Rajnath Singh will meet Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic."

It added, "Later, Raksha Mantri will participate in the Rafale fighter aircraft handing over ceremony at Merignac along with French Minister of Armed Forces Ms Florence Parly. He will also perform the Shastra Puja on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami and fly a sortie in the Rafale fighter aircraft."

According to the release, the Union Defence Minister will also hold the Annual Defence dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly.

Finally, on October 9, Rajnath Singh will address the CEOs of the French Defence industry during which he is likely to urge them to participate in the indigenous “Make in India” campaign and the defence expo 'DefExpo' to be held in Lucknow from February 5-8 in 2020.

Earlier, a news agency quoted the IAF sources and said that a French pilot will fly in the front cockpit, while Rajnath Singh will sit in the rear cockpit. The first Indian Rafale aircraft with tail no RB-01 will be used for the sortie.

Shastra Puja is an old Hindu tradition where warriors perform puja of their arms and weapons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his days as chief minister also used to perform Shastra Puja on every Dussehra of both ancient and modern arms.

Earlier on October 4, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria stated that acquisition of Rafale fighters from France and S-400 Triumf anti-air missile systems from Russia will further enhance the IAF's capability.

“Air Force has achieved many important milestones in the last one year including the one on 26th February when we successfully targeted terror camps in Balakot (inside Pakistan),” stated ACM Bhadauria who took over as the Chief of Air Staff from Air Chief Marshal (retired) Birender Singh Dhanoa on September 30, 2019.

He responded that any terror strike launched from Pakistan will be responded according to the decision taken by the government while hinting that Balakot-type strikes may take place in future too.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement