3 more Rafale fighters to arrive in India on November 5

Three more French Rafale multi-combat fighter jets are expected to arrive in India on November 5.

Five Rafale jets flew to the Ambala airbase via Abu Dhabi on July 29 and have already been inducted into the IAF’s Squadron 17. The next batch of three Rafales will arrive in Ambala on November 5 directly from the Bordeaux-Merignac facility, according to government sources.

Seven Rafale fighters are already being used for IAF fighter pilot training in France.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is expected to visit France later this week during his European tour. During the visit, he will hold high-level meetings at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs with dedicated consultations on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as India prepares to be on the high table from January.