TSAMTO, April 2. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), on March 31, the fourth batch of three Rafale fighters arrived in India, having flown from the Istres air base in France.
On the flight route, the fighters were accompanied by multi-purpose A-330 MRTT tanker transports of the UAE Air Force, which refueled them in the air. After the arrival of the new batch, the total number of Rafale fighters that arrived in India increased to 14 units.
As reported by TSAMTO, the Ministry of Defense of India signed a contract with Dassault Aviation for the supply of 36 Rafale fighters on September 23, 2016. The total declared cost of the program is 7.878 billion. Of the 36 aircraft made in a configuration that meets the requirements of the Indian Air Force, 28 aircraft will be delivered in a single – seat version and 8 units-a two-seat version.
The contract signed by India and France stipulated that the delivery of the Rafales would begin in May 2020, but the coronavirus led to changes in the schedule. The first five Rafale fighters (three single-seat and two two-seat) landed at Ambala Air Base, home to the 17th Golden Arrows Fighter Squadron, on July 29, 2020. The official ceremony of acceptance of the first aircraft into service with the Indian Air Force took place on September 10, 2020.
The second batch of three Rafale fighters arrived at the Jamnagar air base on November 3, 2020, after which they also flew to the Ambala a/b. The third batch of three aircraft arrived on January 27, 2021.
The Indian Air Force should receive 3-4 Rafale aircraft every 2-3 months. According to representatives of the Air Force, after the formation of the first squadron, a similar number of fighters will be deployed at the Hasimara air base, near the country's border with China. The creation of the second division should begin in April. The aircraft will be part of the 101st fighter Squadron "Falcons". According to the Indian Embassy in France, the delivery of all 36 aircraft will be completed by the end of 2021.
