New Delhi: French Defense Minister Florence Parley will attend a ceremony to be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force fleet in Ambala tomorrow (Thursday 10 September). The first batch of five French Rafale fighter jets has been deployed at Ambala Air Force Base. A delegation of representatives of the defense manufacturing industry is also expected to come along with the French Defense Minister. Apart from this, a separate meeting is also being expected with defence minister Rajnath Singh.

According to reports, the initial five jets include three single-seater and two twin-seater jets. On July 29, it flew from Marigenac, France, staying in the United Arab Emirates. Apart from this, the seven pilots who flew the jet aircraft were welcomed by Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria, as it landed in Ambala. Rafael jet aircraft spent one night in the United Arab Emirates while flying 8,500 km from France's southern region of Marigenac to Ambala.

Rafael's first squadron will operate from Ambala Air Base as it is strategically located at a prominent place, along with Jaguar and MiG-21. In the next two years, 36 Rafale jets in the two squadrons are going to be part of the Indian Air Force. Of these, the first squadron will start from Ambala in the western region and the second will be at Hashimara in West Bengal.

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