First batch of five Rafale aircraft formally inducted into Indian Air Force
- The first batch of five Rafale fighter jets was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 10 September 2020 at the Air Force Station in Ambala.
- They have been inducted in the Indian Air Force’s 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ based in Ambala.
- The first five Rafale aircraft had arrived from France on 27 July 2020.
- The multi-role Rafale jets have been built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation.
- India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in 2016 to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore
- The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.
- Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers.