India Gets Final Rafale Fighter Jet From France

India received its 36th and final Rafale fighter jet from France on Thursday, completing the delivery of all the aircraft signed for in a Rs 60,000 crore deal in 2016.

The final aircraft arrived in India after a quick en-route mid-air refuelling from a UAE Air Force tanker aircraft after taking off from France, according to the Indian Air Force. 

The aircraft was used to develop India-specific enhancements for the Indian Air Force's Rafale fleet, one of the defence officials said.

India agreed to buy 36 of these planes, 35 had already arrived and are stationed in Ambala, Haryana and Hashimara, West Bengal.

According to officials, France provided the 36th aircraft with the RB tail number to the Indian side with all spares and other parts replaced because it was being used for developmental activities.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has begun upgrading the planes to the highest standards and has equipped them with all India-specific upgrades.

The Rafale is a 4.5-generation aircraft that has helped India regain control of its sub-continental skies by providing long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and advanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities.

Dassault Aviation, a French company, is also involved in the maintenance of the aircraft, which has a serviceability rate of more than 75 per cent. 

The Rafale was quickly inducted into the Indian Air Force during the height of the conflict with China and it began flying over Ladakh within a week of its arrival.

In addition, the IAF quickly fired and operationalized the long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles and the Scalp air-to-ground missiles.

The IAF also added the HAMMER missile to Rafale's arsenal because it was needed for precision attacks at shorter ranges.