TSAMTO, April 22. According to the Times of India, having made a flight from the French air base "Merignac", on April 21, the fifth batch of Rafale fighters produced by Dassault Aviation arrived in India.
Officials have not yet disclosed the number of planes that arrived, but according to unofficial sources, four new Rafales landed.
During the flight, the fighters accompanied the multi-purpose A-330 MRTT tanker transports of the UAE Air Force, which refueled them in the air. If the information about the number of aircraft is correct, the total number of fighters arriving in India has increased to 18 units. After the transfer of these machines to India, it became possible to start staffing the second squadron of Rafale aircraft, which will be based at the Hasimara air base in West Bengal.
As previously reported by TSAMTO, the Indian Ministry of Defense 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, and the fourth on March 31, 2021.
According to representatives of the Air Force, after the formation of the first squadron is completed, a similar number of fighters (18 units) will be deployed at the Hasimara air base, near the country's border with China. 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. It is expected that the first squadron will be fully operational by the end of 2021, the second-by 2023.
