Rafale’s Second Squadron Likely To Launched By The End Of July

Rafale’s second squadron likely to be launched by the end of July will monitor the eastern border area.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to have a second squadron of Rafale fighter jets operational by the end of July. It will be deployed at Hashimara Air Force Base in Bengal.

The first squadron of Rafale aircraft is stationed at Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. The first consignment of five Rafale fighter jets reached India on July 29, 2020.

About four years ago, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France for the purchase of 36 aircraft at a cost of around Rs 59,000 crore.

The Air Force currently has about 25 Rafale aircraft and the remaining aircraft are expected to arrive by 2022.

Officials said that the first squadron will guard the western border and northern border with Pakistan. The second squadron will monitor the eastern border area of ​​India.

Five French-made Rafale fighter jets were formally inducted into the Air Force on September 10 last year at a ceremony in Ambala. Later, more consignments of planes also reached India.

Rafale’s second squadron: IAF officials said the second squadron of Rafale would be operated at Hashimara by the end of July. A squadron consists of about 18 aircraft.

Navy’s fleet of anti-submarine fighter jets strengthened, India got P-8I from America.

The Indian Navy has received the tenth anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I from American aerospace company Boeing.

In 2009, the Defense Ministry had signed an agreement for eight P-8I aircraft. Later in the year 2016, an agreement was signed for four more such aircraft.

According to a statement, this is the second aircraft in the agreement for four additional aircraft in the year 2016.

P-8I aircraft equipped with maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capability also assist in relief and rescue operations in times of disaster.

The ninth P-8I aircraft was received by the Indian Navy in November last year. This patrol aircraft has become an integral part of the Indian Navy fleet and has flown 30,000 hours since its induction in 2013.

Boeing trains Navy crew and ensures the availability of spare parts for India’s growing fleet of P-8Is, the statement said. Apart from this, she also provides many types of help.