Rafale Touchdown: 5 Fighter Jets Arrives At Ambala Airbase, PM Modi Welcomes

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted soon after fighter aircraft Rafale’s landing. He wrote – “The Birds have landed safely in Ambala.”

Ambala| After covering a distance of 7000 kilometres from France, 5 Rafale fighter jets today landed at Ambala airbase at around 3.15 pm on Wednesday afternoon. Rafale flew for a while thundering in the skies of Ambala and then made a smooth landing at the airbase. The five Rafales landed one after the other on the same airstrip. After this, it was given Water Cannon Salute.

Rafael was received by several officers of the Western Air Command, including Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadaia. The 17th Golden Arrow Squadron will be Rafael’s first squadron at Ambala Airbase. After 22 years, India has got 5 new fighter planes. Earlier in 1997, India received Sukhoi20 MKI from Russia.

IAF before the arrival of 5 jets tweeted, “Welcome home ‘Golden Arrows’. Blue skies always. The Arrow formation (Rafales) was given ceremonial welcome by SU-30s.”

Welcome home 'Golden Arrows'. Blue skies always.

The Arrow formation (Rafales) was given ceremonial welcome by SU-30s.#IndianAirForce #RafaleInIndia #Rafale pic.twitter.com/RP0wITfTPZ

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 29, 2020

Rajnath’s tweet – “Air Force strength will increase”

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted soon after Rafale’s landing. He wrote – “The Birds have landed safely in Ambala. The touch down of the fighter jet combat aircraft in India marks the beginning of a new era in our Military History. These multirole aircraft will revolutionise the capabilities of the Indian Air Force.”

The Birds have landed safely in Ambala.

The touch down of Rafale combat aircrafts in India marks the beginning of a new era in our Military History.

These multirole aircrafts will revolutionise the capabilities of the @IAF_MCC.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 29, 2020

Crediting PM Modi for the purchase of Rafale he further said, “PM Modi took the right decision to get these aircraft through an Inter-Governmental Agreement with France after the long-pending procurement case for them could not progress. I thank him for his courage & decisiveness.”

This could also be seen as a dig at the opposition Congress party which had based its Lok Sabha campaign accusing corruption in the Rafale deal.

The Rafale jets were purchased only because PM Shri @narendramodi took the right decision to get these aircrafts through an Inter-Governmental Agreement with France, after the long pending procurement case for them could not progress. I thank him for his courage & decisiveness.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 29, 2020

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that the fighter jets would prove to be a Game Changer. “From speed to weapon capabilities, Rafale is way ahead! I am sure these world-class fighter jets will prove to be a game-changer,” he tweeted.

From speed to weapon capabilities, Rafale is way ahead!

I am sure these world class fighter jets will prove to be a game changer. Congratulations to PM @narendramodi ji, DM @rajnathsingh ji, Indian Air Force and the entire country on this momentous day. #RafaleInIndia pic.twitter.com/1PuSgVtlZm

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 29, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a couplet in Sanskrit to welcome the first batch of Rafale aircraft.

राष्ट्ररक्षासमं पुण्यं,

राष्ट्ररक्षासमं व्रतम्,

राष्ट्ररक्षासमं यज्ञो,

दृष्टो नैव च नैव च।।

नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्…
स्वागतम्! #RafaleInIndia pic.twitter.com/lSrNoJYqZO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2020