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India increasing combat capability for 'self-defence', says Rajnath after landing

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after taking a sortie in Rafale described his experience and declared it as an unforgettable flight. The Defence Minister added that even with enhanced capabilities, India will merely use Rafale as a self-deterrent.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
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Published : Oct 8, 2019, 9:58 PM IST

Bordeaux: Shortly after taking a sortie in Rafale, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the jet has increased combat capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the country is doing this for "self-defence".

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh became the first Indian defence minister ever to fly in a Rafale combat aircraft.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh became the first Indian defence minister ever to fly in a Rafale combat aircraft on Tuesday

Singh performed a Shastra puja on the aircraft and took a sortie in the aircraft from Mérignac in France which lasted for 35 minutes.

"The handing over ceremony of Rafale was completed after pooja. The French defence minister has handed over Rafale to me. We will get 18 Rafale jets by February 2021 and rest 18 will get all 36 jets by April-May 2022. With the induction of Rafale, the combat capability of the Air Force has increased. Since we are increasing our capability, it does not mean that we are doing this to attack anyone but for self-defence. It will be like a deterrent," he told reporters.

"It was a very comfortable and smooth flight. It was an unprecedented moment, I had never thought that one day I will fly at supersonic speed in an aircraft," Singh added.

Emphasizing on the importance of the day, Singh said, "In India, today is Dussehra, the festival where we celebrate victory over evil. It is also the 87th Indian Air Force Day. Therefore, today’s day becomes symbolic in so many ways."

The jet was flown by Philippe Duchateau, head test pilot of Dassault Aviation.

The first of the 36 French-built Rafale fighter jet bearing the tail number RB-001 was formally handed over to India on Tuesday. Singh received the jet at the handing-over ceremony in Bordeaux, France in the presence of French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly.

The RB in the tail number denoted the initials of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria who played a key role in the signing of the biggest ever defence deal of India worth above Rs 60,000 crore for 36 fighter planes.

Also read: India gets its first Rafale, Rajnath takes sortie

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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 87th Indian Air Force Day. Therefore, today’s day becomes symbolic in so many ways”, Shri Rajnath Singh said.

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.

Shri Rajnath Singh thanked the French government saying, “I hope the strong cooperation between two important and large democracies 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.

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

Also present on the occasion were 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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