"India took a significant step in strengthening air power and defence preparedness with the first five Rafale fighter aircraft, built by Dassault, flying out from Merignac airbase in Bordeaux, France to India today, July 27," said an official statement from the Indian embassy in Paris.
"This also marks a new milestone in the strong and growing India-France defense cooperation," the statement said.
The Rafale aircraft will cover a distance of nearly 7000 kms from France to India with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop en route in UAE. They are scheduled to reach India on July 29, 2020."
The first Rafale fighter was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in October 2019 in a ceremony attended by the French Minister for Armed Forces Florence Parly and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
"Delivery of ten aircraft has been completed on schedule. Five will stay back in France for a training Mission. The delivery of all thirty six aircraft will be completed on schedule by the end of 2021," the embassy statement said.
In accordance with the contract, Indian Air Force pilots and supporting personnel have been provided full training
on aircraft and weapon systems by Dassault. Further batches of Indian Air Force personnel will continue the
training over the next nine months, it further said.
India’s Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf was there to see off the Rafale aircraft.
He said that the long awaited and much needed two squadrons of Rafale would add great strength to
the IAF and India's defence capabilities.
He met the Indian Air Force pilots and wished them a safe flight to India.
The envoy also congratulated them on becoming the first Indian pilots to fly one of the world’s most advanced and potent fighter aircraft and wished them success in meeting the nation’s expectation of playing an important role in India's defence.
Ambassador Ashraf also thanked French Air force for support and Dassault for delivering the aircraft on schedule despite the ongoing pandemic crisis.
Éric Trappier, Chairman Dassault Aviation and Air Commodore Hilal Ahmad Rather, the Air Attaché to France, were also present on the occasion apart from other officials.
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(Bon Voyage: Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf interacts with the Indian pilots of the Rafale)
India's acquisition of French Toofanis in 1953, then Mystere, Jaguars and the Mirages.
"In a gesture of friendship, the Government of France will send an aircraft with medical equipment and experts on July 26 to support India's efforts against the COVID-19 Pandemic," the statement said.
It goes without stating that the Rafale procurement issue had snowballed into a major political row
and as a major election issue in 2019.
The BJP had also stepped up attack against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his 'repeated utterances'
against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rafale and also for "misquoting" Supreme Court ruling.
The apex court had also dismissed pleas to probe Rafale fighter jet deal with France, blunting the opposition’s attack on Mr Modi in the multi-billion-dollar purchase.
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