Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to leave for 2-day official visit to France to receive 1st Rafale

[Zapper]

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day visit to France on Monday. During his visit, he will receive the first of 36 Rafale fighter jets manufactured for India.

On October 8, the defence minister is scheduled to meet the French President Emmanuel Macron.

After the meeting, Singh will proceed to Bordeaux to participate in the Rafale fighter jet handing-over ceremony at Merignac along with French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly.


Singh will also perform the 'Shastrapuja' on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami and fly a sortie in the Rafale fighter jet.

"As per plans, a French pilot will fly in the front cockpit while Singh will sit in the rear cockpit. The first Indian Rafale fighter jet with tail no RB-01 will be used for the sortie," sources in IAF said.

The tail number has the initials of newly-appointed IAF chief Air chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria in recognition of his role in the around Rs 60,000 crore deal signed in 2016 for 36 planes.

The defence minister will also hold the annual defence dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces during his visit.

On October 9, Singh will address the CEOs of the French defence industry during which he is likely to urge them to participate in 'Make in India' and the Defence Expo to be held in Lucknow in February next year.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-to-france-on-monday/articleshow/71468055.cms

 

[khansaheeb]

Better not cross the LOC else he might be drinking fantastic tea in Pakistan and be a little beat
: "As per plans, a French pilot will fly in the front cockpit while Singh will sit in the rear cockpit. The first Indian Rafale fighter jet with tail no RB-01 will be used for the sortie," sources in IAF said."

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Looks like his next stop will be at the PAF mess.....

PAF mess is the leveler...

 

[Pakistani Fighter]

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day visit to France on Monday. During his visit, he will receive the first of 36 Rafale fighter jets manufactured for India.

On October 8, the defence minister is scheduled to meet the French President Emmanuel Macron.

After the meeting, Singh will proceed to Bordeaux to participate in the Rafale fighter jet handing-over ceremony at Merignac along with French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly.


Singh will also perform the 'Shastrapuja' on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami and fly a sortie in the Rafale fighter jet.

"As per plans, a French pilot will fly in the front cockpit while Singh will sit in the rear cockpit. The first Indian Rafale fighter jet with tail no RB-01 will be used for the sortie," sources in IAF said.

The tail number has the initials of newly-appointed IAF chief Air chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria in recognition of his role in the around Rs 60,000 crore deal signed in 2016 for 36 planes.

The defence minister will also hold the annual defence dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces during his visit.

On October 9, Singh will address the CEOs of the French defence industry during which he is likely to urge them to participate in 'Make in India' and the Defence Expo to be held in Lucknow in February next year.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-to-france-on-monday/articleshow/71468055.cms

When will ours go to US to get Block 72s???

 

[IceCold]

"As per plans, a French pilot will fly in the front cockpit while Singh will sit in the rear cockpit. The first Indian Rafale fighter jet with tail no RB-01 will be used for the sortie," sources in IAF said.

Thats the interesting part. Apparently no IAF pilot is worth qualified to fly rafale, and France does not want to embarrass itself with 1st plane getting crashed by IAF.

 

[AwA.]

When will ours go to US to get Block 72s???

Let me give u a hint. PAF strategy to counter IAF Rafales doesn't based on the acquisition of F-16 Block 72s.

 

[Zapper]

Thats the interesting part. Apparently no IAF pilot is worth qualified to fly rafale, and France does not want to embarrass itself with 1st plane getting crashed by IAF.

That's the norm for most new aircraft deliveries in case you didn't know but since you resorted to troll, I don't expect anything better from you

 

[IceCold]

That's the norm for most new aircraft deliveries in case you didn't know but since you resorted to troll, I don't expect anything better from you

Are the Russians trolling too considering your record breaking when it comes to crashing jets

https://www.rbth.com/blogs/2015/06/04/why_the_indian_air_force_has_a_high_crash_rate_43501

Clearly no decent supplier would want IAF pilots to make a mockery out of their top end jets, French are no different. And since a joker of a defence minister would also be flying in the back seat, hence all the more reason for a professional French pilot to fly it rather than an Indian.

 

[Pakistani Fighter]

Let me give u a hint. PAF strategy to counter IAF Rafales doesn't based on the acquisition of F-16 Block 72s.

Then?

 

[Trango Towers]

When will ours go to US to get Block 72s???

I hope never. We dont want americans here controlling everything we do

 

[Sid Dogra]

It is good to see India finally make a move and receive the Rafales. My humble opinion on following the entire deal since its initial stages as the 126-aircraft tender; This should have not been reduced to 36-aircraft batches.

My guess is that because the government wants to focus more on the production of AMCA. There was recent video presentation posted on LiveFist (defence news channel), which got full active endorsement from the new Air Force chief in India.