New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is expected to receive the delivery of its first Rafale combat jet in September this year. The Indian Air Force's 'Golden Arrows' 17 Squadron which was commanded by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa during the Kargil War in 1999, will enjoy the exploits of the state-of-the-art aircraft.

"The first unit to receive the Rafale combat aircraft would be the 17 Squadron which was earlier located in Bhatinda in Punjab and will now be shifted to Ambala in Haryana," IAF sources told ANI. 

The other squadron that will receive the fighter aircraft West Bengal’s Hashimara to guard our border with China, while the one is Ambala will secure north against Pakistan. Earlier, 17 Squadron operated light combat aircraft MiG-21.

The first unit of the advanced aircraft is expected in September this year but before it starts official operation, the jet will undergo an intensive 1,500 hours of testing to qualify as per the India Specific Enhancements. As a result, the first batch of delivery is expected to arrive at Ambala around May 2020.

In September 2016, India signed a deal with the French government and Dassault Aviation to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets.  As of now, IAF’s Ambala base is home to the Jaguar aircraft.

Dhanoa had in March said that with the inclusion of the French-made Rafale jets, forces across the border won’t dare to loiter anywhere near the International Border.

“When Rafale comes in, it will ensure that the deterrence of our air defence will increase manifold and they (Pakistan) will not come anywhere near our Line of Control or border. That kind of capability we will possess, for which, presently they (Pakistan) don’t have an answer,” the Air Chief Marshal had said.

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