The Rafale aircraft will provide the Indian Air Force strategic deterrence and requisite capability to engage targets at long ranges, the Defence Ministry said, adding the training of the first batch of officers and technicians is under way with the French Air Force.
In its 2018-19 annual report, the ministry said the French-make aircraft will provide India strong weapons and systems capability edge over the country’s adversaries.
India has signed an agreement to purchase two squadrons (36) of the twin-engine multi-role aircraft and decided to base one each on its western and eastern fronts with Pakistan and China.
