Indian Air Force inducts Rafale fighter jets.

India on Thursday, Sept. 10, formally inducted its first five Rafale fighter jets into the 17th Squadron "Golden Arrows" at Ambala Air Station along the western border. This Squadron is the first Indian Air Force squadron to be equipped with the French-made Dassault Rafales.

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Indian Air Force Rafale (Picture source: Indian Air Force)

France fulfilled its commitment to deliver the first five Rafale fighter jets – three single-seaters and two twin-seaters – on time, i.e. by 29 July. India was pushing hard to get them, amid the rising tension with China that, in spite of talks, keeps worsening.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defense Minister Florence Parly were joined by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at the induction ceremony.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Mrs Florence Parly, unveiling Rafale at Ambala Air Force Station (Picture source: Twitter account of Indian MoD)

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Mrs Florence Parly, unveiling Rafale at Ambala Air Force Station (Picture source: Twitter account of Indian MoD)