IAF to operationalize second squadron of Rafale aircraft by July-end

New Delhi, July 14: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to operationalize its second squadron of the Rafale combat aircraft by the end of July and it will be based in Hasimara air base in West Bengal. It will be a major boost along the China border in the northeast as the air force would be making its second Rafale fighter aircraft squadron operational by July 26.

 

 

 

According to the reports, the 101 squadron will be handling the eastern frontier in Hashimara while the 17 squadron in Ambala would be looking after the northern borders with China in Ladakh and other areas along with Pakistan. The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.

 

 

In total, the Air Force has received around 25 aircraft from France and more are expected to be delivered in the next few months out of the 36 planes that India had ordered in 2016. As reported earlier, the new Rafale squadron will be based at the Hasimara air base in West Bengal. The first squadron is based at the Ambala air force station.

 

 

Rafale joined the IAF last year in July-August and was soon operationalized. It should be noted, it also has been deployed for patrolling along the China front in eastern Ladakh and other fronts during the height of the China confrontation. In September 2016, India had signed a deal with France for the acquisition of 36 Rafale multi-role fighter jets in a fly-away condition along with 13 India Specific Enhancements (ISE) under a €7.87 billion (Rs. 60,000 crore) Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

 

 

India-specific enhancements on the Rafales include a helmet-mounted sight, radar warning receivers, flight data recorders with storage for 10 hours of data, infrared search and track systems, jammers, cold engine start capability to operate from high-altitude bases and towed decoys to ward off incoming missiles. The twin-engine jet is capable of carrying out a variety of missions – ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance and nuclear strike deterrence. It can carry almost 10 tonnes of weapons.

India is now planning to place orders for 114 multirole fighter aircraft along with the indigenously developed stealth fighters Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft whose seven squadrons would join the IAF in the next 15-20 years.