Big boost to India's firepower: Second batch of Rafale fighter jets arrive in India after flying non-stop from France

In a major boost to the Indian Air Force, India on Wednesday received the second batch of three Rafale combat aircraft.

The three Rafale jets landed in Jamnagar, Gujarat after flying non-stop from France.

The IAF announced that the fighter jets arrived in India at 8.14 pm.

"Second batch of IAF #Rafale aircraft arrived in India at 8:14 pm on 04 Nov 20 after flying non-stop from France," tweeted the IAF.

The second batch of three Rafale aircraft got airborne from Istres airbase in France and flew for over eight hours before landing at an IAF base. They covered a distance of over 3700 nautical miles with three in-flight refuellings. pic.twitter.com/gHEixnMh2B

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 4, 2020

The Rafale jets flew directly from Istres in France and were accompanied by French Air Force mid-air refuelling aircraft.

With three more Rafale fighter jets, the IAF will now have eight Rafale jets in service. India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of these aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.

The development comes even as tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China continue. The Chinese build-up at the LAC remains despite a series of diplomatic and military talks. 

Earlier, five Rafale jets flew to the Ambala airbase via Abu Dhabi on July 29 and have already been inducted into the IAF’s Squadron 17. The five Rafale jets were inducted at the IAF’s Ambala airbase on September 10 in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Florence Parly. 

Under the 2016 agreement, India will get 36 Rafale jet from France as part of a Rs 59000 crore deal.