Five Down – 31 to Go

Five RAFALEs destined for the Indian Air Force (IAF) left Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac facility on 27 July, piloted by IAF pilots for ferry delivery to Ambala Air Force Station, where they will be operated by No 17 Squadron, the Golden Arrows.

Following training delivered to IAF pilots and maintenance crews, delivered by Dassault Aviation with the participation of the French Air Force, IAF crews will be responsible for this first ferry delivery mission, including an air-to-air refuelling with the dedicated support of the French Air Force.

Together with His Excellency Shri Jawed Ashraf, Ambassador of the Republic of India to France, Eric Trappier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation, congratulated the IAF team, which has been in France almost 3 years, for successful management of the programme. He also complimented the trainees, who have been in country a year, on their outstanding ability to master the aircraft.

“I am [greatly] impressed by the amazing efficiency and determination of the Indian Air Force and Indian Ministry of Defence, despite this unprecedented world health crisis, to master rapidly all aspects of the RAFALE for [supporting] Indian sovereignty and contributing to the protection and security of [the] Indian people,” Trappier stated. “This new milestone illustrates once again the exemplary cooperation between Dassault Aviation and the Indian Air Force, started in 1953, and reasserts our total commitment to fulfil Indian Air Force requirements for the decades to come, and to be part of India’s ambitious vision for the future.”