New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Air Force will induct the second squadron of Rafale fighter jets at Hasimara Air Force base in West Bengal in mid-April this year.
According to sources, the second Rafale Squadron is being raised at the next Main Operating Base (MOB) in Hasimara.
As per officials, the IAF would be moving the fighter aircraft at Hasimara air base in May and pilots will complete their training in France around the same time.
Three group captains have been trained for Rafale in France including Gp Captain Harkirat Singh, according to IAF sources.
“Now with the Rafale squadron being formed in the Eastern sector, Harkirat is moving logically to the next level with responsibility of steering raising of the 2nd squadron. He will carry forward the experience & expertise gained thus far and basically play the role of a mentor while the other Gp Captains command the Sqns. He is being moved along with other Gp Capts as part of a routine deployment with one month’s notice. The assumption that he has been removed are baseless,” according to IAF sources.
In a historic moment, the first batch of five Rafale jets entered Indian airspace and landed at Ambala air base in July last year.
The second set of Rafale fighter jets reached India in November 2020. The second set of jets which will have three more Rafales that will arrive directly at Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat.
India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France Nearly around four years ago for 36 Rafale jets under a ₹59,000-crore deal to boost the IAF’s combat capabilities.
-ARK
