TSAMTO, October 20. According to Indian media, another batch of Rafale fighters manufactured by Dassault Aviation arrived at the Jamnagar Air base of the Indian Air Force, having flown from Bordeaux-Merignac 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.
Thus, the total number of Rafale fighters arriving in India has increased to 29 units. The newly arrived aircraft will enter service with the 17th fighter squadron "Golden Arrows" (a / b "Ambala") and the 101st fighter squadron "Falcons" (a /b "Hasimara"). As planned, the next batch of three aircraft will arrive in India in the first half of December, and the last three - by January 26, 2022.
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. Euro ($8.5 billion). Of the 36 aircraft made in a configuration that meets the requirements of the Indian Air Force, 28 machines will be delivered in a single–seat version and 8 units - a double.
The first five Rafale fighters (three single and two double) landed at the Ambala Airbase, where the 17th fighter Squadron "Golden Arrows" is located, on July 29, 2020. The official ceremony of taking the first aircraft into service with the Indian Air Force took place on September 10, 2020.
Earlier, the MBDA group has already delivered ammunition provided for by the contract to the Ambala base, including MICA and Meteor guided air-to-air missiles, and Scalp/Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The Air Force Command is also negotiating with the French Safran Electronics & Defense about the purchase of about 300 units. modular AASM (HAMMER) air-to-ground ammunition.
Currently, the Indian Air Force has 28 fighter squadrons in combat, which is 14 less than the country's leadership authorized. By 2023, this number is likely to decrease further due to the need to decommission the obsolete MiG-21 and Jaguar.
