The
first batch of Rafale fighter jets are set to arrive at the Ambala airbase on
Wednesday. The arrival of the jets, which are set to add strength to the Indian
Airforce’s fleet; will take place amid country’s border row with China in
eastern Ladakh. The official inauguration of the jets will
take place in second-half of August, according to a PTI report.

The
first squadron of 5 jets took off from Dassault aviation facility, Merignac,
France on Monday.

The
IAF aircrew and ground crew have undergone comprehensive training on the
aircraft, including its highly advanced weapons systems and are fully
operational now. “Post arrival, efforts will focus on operationalisation of the
aircraft at the earliest,” the IAF said.

Meanwhile,
the top commanders of the force will take stock of the current operational
scenario and deployments at a three-day conference in the national capital
beginning on Wednesday.

Officials
have said that the arrival of the Rafale jets will further strengthen the IAF’s
combat capabilities.

The
aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile
maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile
will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets Meteor is the
next generation of BVR air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise
air-to-air combat. The weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common
threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.