First five Rafale fighter aircrafts take off for India

The fighter aircrafts took off from the Merignac airbase in southern France and will arrive in India on July 29. This batch of jets include 3 single seater and 2 twin-seater aircrafts. India purchased 36 Rafale jets in a deal worth a whopping 7.87 billion euros. These jets will officially be inducted into the Indian Airforce Fleet on Wednesday in Haryana.

The Indian embassy in France said this is a historic event and strengthen ties and cooperation between France and India. The Indian embassy also tweeted a video titled “Beauty and the Beast”, showcasing Rafale jets ready for take off. 

"Beauty and the Beast"- #Rafale Fighter Aircraft. Ready to take off @MEAIndia @JawedAshraf5 @gouvernementFR @Dassault_OnAir @rajnathsingh @DefenceMinIndia @DDNewslive @ANI @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/TTAi6DHun7

— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020

Ambassador @JawedAshraf5
visited the Rafale Assembly line, training facilities and interacted with officials from @Dassault_OnAir@gouvernementFR @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @DDNewslive @ANI @IAF_MCC @DefenceMinIndia @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/ccrEPIVwkY

— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020

Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf also tweeted a heartfelt message in a video congratulating all the pilots who will be flying this aircraft. 

Proud to see off first five Rafale to India - swift, nimble, versatile, advanced and lethal.

Real beauty and beast!

Flown by IAF Pilots - world’s best!
Boost India’s defence and India-France ties. Safe landing!@Indian_Embassy @MEAIndia @PMOIndia @harshvshringla @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/r6tk6uLyQ1

— Jawed Ashraf (@JawedAshraf5) July 27, 2020

India got its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh on October 8, 2019. According to the Indian mission in France all 36 aircraft will be delivered by 2021 year end.