The much-awaited induction of five French Rafale fighters to the Indian Air Force witnessed a rare sense of jubilation in the country, beginning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian PM quoted a Sanskrit verse to welcome the induction.
“Any pledge, any sacrifice equal to keeping a nation secure have never been seen. [You] illuminated the sky by touching it. Welcome!” Modi’s quote roughly translates to.
राष्ट्ररक्षासमं पुण्यं,
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2020
राष्ट्ररक्षासमं व्रतम्,
राष्ट्ररक्षासमं यज्ञो,
दृष्टो नैव च नैव च।।
नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्...
स्वागतम्! #RafaleInIndia pic.twitter.com/lSrNoJYqZO
The contract for acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a price of US $8.7 billion was signed in 2016, two years after Modi came to power, to arrest the depleting inventory of the Indian Air Force.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that it “marks the beginning of a new era in our Military History”. Singh received the first Rafale in October 2019 in France.
The Birds have landed safely in Ambala.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 29, 2020
The touch down of Rafale combat aircrafts in India marks the beginning of a new era in our Military History.
These multirole aircrafts will revolutionise the capabilities of the @IAF_MCC.
India’s federal Home Minister Amit Shah expressed hope that the world-class fighter jets would prove to be a “game changer”.
“These are the world's most powerful machines capable to thwart any challenge in the sky. I am sure Rafale will help our Air warriors to safeguard our skies with its mighty superiority”, Shah said in a series of tweets.
Rafale touchdown is a historic day for our vigorous @IAF_MCC and a proud moment for India!
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 29, 2020
These are the world's most powerful machines capable to thwart any challenge in the sky. I am sure Rafale will help our Air warriors to safeguard our skies with its mighty superiority. pic.twitter.com/wTsK0XYcIX
Earlier, when the jets entered Indian airspace, two Sukhoi Su-30MKIs escorted them to Ambala Air Force Station.
Indian Air Force Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria received the aircraft at Ambala Air Force Station, 200 kilometres north of national capital Delhi, where they would be formally inducted to No. 17 Squadron called the "Golden Arrows".
As the twin-engine fighter jets touched down on the tarmac, they were given a ceremonial water cannon welcome.
Several federal ministers, including Communication Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javedkar, also hailed the arrival of the Rafales.
शक्तिशाली राफेल का स्वागत है।
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) July 29, 2020
राष्ट्र सुरक्षा, परमो धर्म:।#RafaleInIndia
A great day in history of @IAF_MCC as first 5 #Rafale fighters land at #AmbalaAirbase . Our government has bought total 36 Rafale from France. The remaining fighter aircrafts will also land in India as per the timetable. pic.twitter.com/pNLhKukh03
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) July 29, 2020
The five jets took off from the Merignac Airbase in the French port city of Bordeaux on 27 July and covered almost 7,000 kilometres, with an overnight stopover at Al Dhafra Base in Abu Dhabi, which houses US and French troops as well as aircraft.
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