- The Indian Air Force (IAF) will formally induct the newly acquired Rafale fighter jets today at its Ambala air base.
- Here’s a comparison between China’s J-20 and India’s Rafale fighter jets
- Rafale’s engine is better in terms of reliability, longevity and maintainability, according to reports.
- While there has been a lot of speculation about J-20 stealth characteristics based on analysis by the Indian Air Force; Rafale is actually designed for a reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and infrared signature.
Amidst India’s border stand-off with China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will formally induct the newly acquired Rafale fighter jets at its Ambala airbase today.
The Rafale fighter jets will be part of the IAF’s 17 Squadron, known as ‘Golden Arrows’. The Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be joined by Florence Parly, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, as a chief guest during the induction ceremony.
During the induction program, Singh along with Parly will unveil the new Rafale aircraft, followed by the traditional ‘Sarva dharma puja’ and air display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft.
While India and China remain locked in a military face-off along the LAC, and as the cross-border firing and infiltration bids by Pakistan-based terror groups increase, this delivery of new fighter jets will provide the much-needed muscle to India’s armed forces.
Built by Dassault, the Rafale fighter aircraft flew out from Merignac airbase in Bordeaux, France to India on July 27. The new aircraft will arrive after covering a distance of nearly 7000 km from France to India with air-to-air refueling, and a single stop en route in the UAE.
While the two superpowers are amidst a military face-off, here’s a comparison of the most powerful fighter jets that they have — China’s J-20 and India’s Rafale.