5 Rafael will join Ambala Airforce on 29 July, expected to be formally inducted into the Air Force from next month

A day before the arrival of the Rafale fighter jets in Ambala, the district administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the areas around the Indian Air Force (IAF) Station in Ambala Cantonment on Tuesday.

Rafale fighter aircraft left for India from France on 27 July. 5 Rafael will join Ambala Airforce on 29 July. Rafale aircraft will fly at a speed of about 1000 km per hour while completing the journey from France to India.

India’s new Rafale fighters will significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of the air force and prove to be a game-changer with their advanced weaponry, high-tech sensors, superior radar for detection and tracking of targets and ability to carry an impressive payload, people familiar with the aircraft’s capability said.

The imminent arrival of the five Rafales, out of the 36 contracted from France in the Rs 59,000 crore deal inked in September 2016, comes two decades after IAF first demanded such fighters and an intense BJP-Congress political dogfight over corruption allegations in the last couple of years.

Coming to India, these final plans were refueled at refueling tanker of the French Air Force at Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using its Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft.

Airafel planes are expected to be formally inducted into the Air Force from next month.

“Indian Air Force appreciates the support provided by French Air Force for our Rafale journey back home,” tweeted Indian Air Force.