New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) officially triggered a Rafale plane to 101 his squadron from the East Air Command in the presence of Marshal Air Head R K S Bhadauria at the Hasimara Air Force Station in West Bengal on Wednesday.
101 Squadron is the second IAF squadron equipped with a Jet Fighter Rafale.
In September last year, Rafale planes were appointed in the 17 “gold arrow” squadron.
Overcoming personnel at the Air Force Station, Air Head Marshal Bhadauria said the induction of Jet Rafale in Hasimara was planned carefully, given the importance of strengthening the ability of IAF in the eastern sector in the East sector.
India and China have been locked in the border deadlock in Ladakh Timur since May last year.
In the Northeast, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh shared the border with China.
Induction events including flies past the arrival of Rafale aircraft in Hasimara, followed by saluting traditional water cannons, according to a statement issued by the IAF.
India has so far received 26 of the 36 Rafale aircraft ordered from the French company Dassault Aviation, the Minister of State for the defense of Ajay Bhatt told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
In his speech in Hasimara, the IAF head remembers the noble history of 101 squadons, which produced it as the title “Falcons of Chamb and Akhnoor”.
“CAS urges personnel to combine their enthusiasm and commitment with unparalleled potential of the newly installed platform (Rafale),” IAF said.
Air Head Marshal Bhadauria said he had no doubt that the squadron would dominate whenever and anywhere needed, and ensure that the enemy would always be intimidated by his presence.
“The IAF officially triggered a Rafale plane to Squadron No.
101 at the Hasimara Air Force Station in the East Air Command on July 28,” said the statement.
Air Head Marshal Bhadauria led the induction ceremony.
On arrival, he was accepted by Marshal Water Amit Dev, Air Commander Air Commander, East Air Command.
Rafale Jet Multi-role, which was built by French Aerospace Major Dassault Aviation, is known as air superiority and precision strike.
The first batch of five Jet Rafale arrived in India on July 29, 2020, almost four years after the country signed an agreement between governments with France to get 36 aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 Crore.
Rafale Jets was the first Indian acquisition of the fighter aircraft in 23 years after the Sukhoi jet was imported from Russia.
The Rafale plane was able to carry a variety of powerful weapons.
Meteor MBDA European missile maker, air-to-air missile long-range outside visual, and scalp cruise missiles will be a mainstay of weapons packages from Jet Rafale.