The IAF has decided to put tail numbers in 30 Rafale jets with the ‘BS’ initials to honour former Chief B S Dhanoa. He had backed the Rs 59,000 crore deal for 36 Rafale jets to be procured from France under a Government to Government deal during his tenure. Dhanoa retired from service in September.
Six Rafale trainer aircraft will carry ‘RB’ series tail numbers which stand for Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, the current Chief of Air Staff who played a key role as lead negotiator for the mega deal.
The political controversy relating to purchase of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation peaked during Dhanoa’s tenure as chief of the air staff and he had stoutly defended the deal.
