Second batch of Indian Air Force Rafales delivered

On 4 November 2020, the second batch of Bharatiya Vayu Sena (Indian Air Force) Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft was delivered to India.

The three Rafales, two single seat (serials BS002 and BS005) and one two seat (RB002), flew non-stop to Jamnagar AFS (state of Gujarat) in around eight hours. On their way to India, the fighters were refueled by Armée de l'Air (AdlA, French Air Force) tanker aircraft.

French Air Force Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker, serial 738 (visible on ads-b), accompanied the aircraft to at least the United Arab Emirates, after which it landed at an airbase in the UAE.

It is well possible that Indian Air Force Ilyushin Il-78MKI tanker aircraft accompanied the Rafales during the final stretch to Jamnagar AFS. The fighters landed at Jamnagar AFS during the night hours. According to the information from the Indian Air Force, the aircraft continued their journey to Ambala AFS (state of Haryana) on 5 November 2020.

It is reported that by April 2021, the first Rafale squadron, 17 Squadron Golden Arrows, should be fully equipped with eighteen aircraft.

Photo: Julien Chierici