IAF sets Jodhpur airbase as backup in case of weather issue in Ambala

In view of Rafale's landing on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has set Rajasthan's Jodhpur airbase as the backup base in case there is a weather issue in and around Ambala. Earlier on Tuesday, the aircraft left the UAE and were refuelled mid-air by French Air Force tanker aircraft somewhere around Greece over sea. They will make another stopover near Greece or Israel and will then proceed towards Ambala and reach by July 29 morning.

Jodhpur: A day ahead of the much-awaited arrival of the first batch of five Rafale fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has set Rajasthan's Jodhpur airbase as the backup base in case there is a weather issue in and around Ambala.

According to IAF sources, the weather and other conditions are at the moment looking good and it is expected to reach the Ambala airbase on time. The backup base for the arrival of the aircraft in case there is a weather issue in and around Ambala would be the Jodhpur airbase.

Preparations for welcoming the new fighter jets have been made at Jodhpur airbase. However, the arrival time of the jets has not been decided yet, sources said

"The Indian Rafales are expected to take off from Al Dhafra in UAE at around 11 am IST and reach Ambala by 2 pm. The Air Force Chief would be in Ambala tomorrow to receive the fighter planes which are being inducted as part of India's biggest defence deal worth Rs 60,000 crores in 2016," IAF sources said.

Reportedly, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria would be visiting Ambala on Wednesday to receive the batch of first five Rafale combat aircraft arriving from France.

Once the aircraft land in Ambala, the pilots led by Group Captain Harkirat Singh would meet the air chief and brief him about their flying and training in France.

The pilots will follow the COVID-19 related protocols before starting their operational flying. The formal induction ceremony of the aircraft would be held later.

The Rafale aircraft would move out soon to another operational base for operational sorties. The pilots include Group Captain Harkirat Singh who is the Commanding Officer of the 17 squadrons along with Wing Commander MK Singh and R Kataria.

Notably, Ambala district administration on Monday imposed Section 144 around the airbase with immediate effect and banned any kind of photography there in view of the arrival of Rafale fighter jets.