There Will Be No Delay In Supply Of Rafale Jets To India: France

New Delhi: There can be no delay in supply of 36 Rafale jets to India because the timeline finalised for the provision of the fighter jets can be strictly revered, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has mentioned.

India had signed an inter-governmental settlement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a value of round Rs 58,000 crore.

“The contractual delivery schedule of the Rafale jets has been perfectly respected till now, and, in fact, a new aircraft was handed over to the Indian Air Force in end-April in France, in keeping with the contract,” Lenain informed information company PTI.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh obtained the primary Rafale jet at an airbase in France on October 8.

“We are helping the Indian Air Force in arranging for the ferry flight of their first four Rafales from France to India as soon as possible. So there’s no reason today to speculate that the schedule will not be maintained,” the envoy mentioned.

France is reeling below swelling circumstances of coronavirus and has emerged as one of many worst-hit in Europe. Over 1,45,000 individuals had been contaminated by the virus whereas the dying toll stood at 28,330.

There had been apprehensions that the supply of Rafale jets could possibly be delayed as a result of pandemic.

However, Lenain asserted that the unique timeline for supply of the jets can be adhered to.

The plane is able to carrying a variety of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor past visible vary air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile would be the mainstay of the weapons bundle of the Rafale jets.

Meteor is the following era of BVR air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air fight. The weapon has been developed by MBDA to fight widespread threats dealing with the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.

Besides the missile techniques, the Rafale jets will include numerous India-specific modifications, together with Israeli helmet-mounted shows, radar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight information recording, infra-red search and monitoring techniques.

The IAF has already accomplished preparations, together with readying required infrastructure and coaching of pilots, to welcome the fighter plane.

The first squadron of the plane can be stationed at Ambala air power station, thought-about one of the crucial strategically situated bases of the IAF. The Indo-Pak border is round 220 km from there.

The second squadron of Rafale can be stationed at Hasimara base in West Bengal.

The IAF spent round Rs 400 crore to develop required infrastructure like shelters, hangars and upkeep services on the two bases.

Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 can be fighter jets and 6 can be trainers. The coach jets can be twin-seater with nearly all of the options of the fighter jets.

The Congress raised questions concerning the deal, together with on charges of the plane, and alleged corruption, however the authorities has rejected the fees.