Rafale induction ceremony updates, The Indian Air Force (IAF) hosted a ceremony at the Ambala airbase to formally induct the first five Rafale fighter jets. Induction of these twin-engine modern fighters is being seen as a major boost to the IAF’s capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Party and India’s top military brass attended the ceremony.

Welcome the new Big Bad Boys of the sky. #Rafale #GenerallySaying pic.twitter.com/QWywuw5XSZ

— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) September 10, 2020

This was the first induction of a new type of foreign-origin fighter jets by IAF since a batch of the Sukhois were delivered in the late 1990s. Rafale is a multi-role combat aircraft, which means, it can be deployed in various scenarios such as carrying out combat missions to achieve air superiority, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence.The Rafale jets, built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for air-superiority and precision strikes on ground targets, making them truly multirole jets.

With a traditional ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’, air display and Sarang aerobatic team’s performance, the first batch of five Rafale fighter jets has been formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday in a mega ceremony in Ambala.

They will rule the skies for long! #Rafale inducted! pic.twitter.com/ocHI6zI5cm

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 10, 2020

The event was attended by top dignitaries of the Indian government as well as the French government. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is accompanying his French counterpart Florence Parly for the ceremony along with the likes of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.The ceremony at Ambala Air Force Station included a ceremonial unveiling of the Rafale aircraft, a traditional ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’, Air Display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft as well as by ‘Sarang Aerobatic Team’. It was followed by the traditional water cannon salute for the fighter jets. The proceedings culminated the ceremonial induction of Rafale to Golden Arrows.

Florence Party, minister of the French Armed Forces and defence minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guests of the event.Party will also receive a guard of honour upon her arrival in Delhi.

The event will also be attended by the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO along with other senior officers.