The three Rafale jets will take off from France in the morning and reach India by evening without making a single stop. Indian Air Force (IAF) already has five Rafale jets which arrived in July. The three new jets are expected to be deployed at the conflict zones in Ladakh. All 36 Rafale jets, under the inter-government deal between India and France, will arrive in India by mid-2022

New Delhi: In a major boost to the Indian Air Force (IAF) amid the ongoing tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), three more Rafale jets will reach India today. Interestingly, the fighter aircraft will take off from France and reach India without making a single stop.

The Rafale jets will fly from Istres in France today morning and reach Jamnagar in India by evening. The jets will be accompanied by French Air Force's mid-air refuelling aircraft.

An expert team led by Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) has been coordinating the logistical issues for receiving the fighter jets in France. IAF pilots who will fly the jets have been trained in batches at Saint-Dizier airbase in the European nation.

It should be noted that India already has five Rafale jets in service and induction of three more will significantly bolster India's defence.

India received its first batch of five Rafale jets earlier this year in July and they were officially inducted in September.

These combat aircraft have been deployed in the conflict zone of Ladakh, where the Chinese army has been making provocative moves inside the Indian territory.

Key Features of Rafale Jet 

The Rafale jets are manufactured by French giant Dassault Aviation and India has signed an inter-governmental deal with France to buy 36 of these jets at a cost of Rs 59,000.

All the aircraft are expected to reach India by mid-2022.

It is a 4.5 generation jet and is laced with cutting-edge weapons, superior sensors and fully-integrated architecture. This fighter jet also carries semi-stealth capabilities and can execute nuclear attacks.