IAF receives its first Rafale fighter jet from France

The Indian Air Force on Tuesday received its first Rafale fighter jet from a series of 36 aircraft purchased from France in presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh here.
Singh attended the handover ceremony of the first Rafale fighter jet acquired by the IAF along with his French counterpart Florence Parly at aircraft maker Dassault Aviation facility in Merignac, southwestern France.
"Rafale will boost India's air dominance exponentially," Singh said after receiving the aircraft.

Singh, who earlier held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, said his visit was aimed at "expanding the strategic partnership" between India and France.

PTI

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh holds talks with President of French Republic, Mr Emmanuel Macron in Paris

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held talks with President of the French Republic, Mr Emmanuel Macron, in Paris on October 8, 2019. Raksha Mantri had arrived in Paris on Monday for a two-day official visit to France. During the talks, the two leaders comprehensively discussed key aspects of bilateral defence partnership and resolved to continue strengthening the ties between the two countries. “I thanked President Macron for his strong support to further intensifying our strategic partnership, especially in the defence sector, with India and for our ‘Make in India’ initiatives”, Shri Rajnath Singh said after the meeting. Raksha Mantri also thanked the French President for the strong support by France to India's strategic interests and principles, including in fighting terrorism.

Earlier, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on his arrival in Paris had tweeted that France is India’s important strategic partner and its special relationship with India goes far beyond the realm of formal ties. Raksha Mantri also said that his visit to France is aimed at expanding the existing strategic partnership between both the countries.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh also expressed his deepest condolences, on behalf of the Indian Government and its people, upon the demise of former French President Mr Jacques Chirac, saying Mr Chirac had played a decisive role in forging India-France Strategic Partnership.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will later participate in the Rafale fighter aircraft handing over ceremony at Merignac in Bordeaux along with French Minister of Armed Forces Ms Florence Parly. Raksha Mantri is also scheduled to perform the ‘Shastra Puja’ on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami before flying a sortie in the Rafale fighter aircraft.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh says strong cooperation between India and France will continue to grow and contribute to global peace, prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today emphasised on the focus to equip Indian Air Force and enhance its capabilities, saying that the new Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) will make India stronger and will give a boost to its air dominance exponentially to ensure peace and security in the region. In his address at the Rafale handing over Ceremony in Merignac, France, he said it was a historic and landmark day for the Indian Armed Forces.

“In India, today is Dussehra, the festival where we celebrate victory over evil. It is also the 87^th Indian Air Force Day. Therefore, today’s day becomes symbolic in so many ways”, Shri Rajnath Singh said.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh says the strong cooperation between India and France will continue to grow and contribute to global peace, prosperity and environmental sustainability. He also stressed the importance of the ceremony saying it signifies the depth of strategic partnership between India and France.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh also said he was glad in knowing that a large number of India Air Force officers and airmen are being trained in France for flying, maintenance support and logistics for handling Rafale fighter aircraft and hoped the training in French facilities will help the crew in acquiring knowledge and professional expertise required for performing their task in India.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that the Rafale Project Monitoring Team (PMT) from India has been positioned in France since August 2017 to ensure smooth implementation of the project. Shri Rajnath Singh said he was happy that the delivery of Rafale aircraft is on schedule and will add to the strength of Indian Air force.

“I look forward to flying in the Rafale aircraft. This will be a great honour and experience”, he added.

Raksha Mantri performed the ‘Shastra Puja’ on Rafale on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.

Also, present on the occasion was French Minister of Armed Forces, Ms Florence Parly and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation, Mr Eric Trappier.

The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 36 Rafale aircraft procurement was signed between the Government of India and Government of France on 23 September, 2016.

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