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High-Profile Rafale Induction Ceremony Likely This Month With PM Modi And French Defence Minister In Attendance: Report
An IAF Rafale during in flight refueling on its way to India. (Indian Embassy in France/Twitter)
Amid the ongoing tension with China at Line of Actual Contol (LAC) in Ladakh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning for a high-profile Rafale induction cermony later this month which may include Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French Defence Minister Florence Parly, reports Economic Times.
The induction ceremony will reportedly take place at the air force station in Ambala where the first five Rafales have been stationed.
A final date for the event is yet to be finalised but it is expected to take place in the coming weeks as the IAF has started the preparations for the formal induction ceremony, according to the sources quoted in the report.
According to the report, the IAF has said that the induction ceremony for the Rafales that arrived at Ambala on 29 July is planned in the second half of August. It added that efforts are focused on operationalisation of the aircraft at the earliest.
The five Rafale jets are being integrated into the air force ecosystem. The fighter aircraft have already conducted successful weapons firing at a test range after arrival.
French Defence Minister Parly is likely to be a part of the induction ceremony at Ambala, sources were quoted as saying.
It should be noted that India has signed a 7.8 billion Euro deal with France for 36 Rafale jets, five of which have arrived in the country.
During her visit, Parly is likely to raise the possibility of a larger order for the Rafale fighter jets under the Make in India initiative.
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