Rajnath Singh performs Shastra puja, flies in a sortie at the delivery ceremony of Rafale fighter jets

Rajnath Singh carried out the ritual of Shastra Puja that is a traditional ceremony in many households in North India at the festival of Dussehra.

Paris: On Tuesday, India received the formal delivery of the first of the 36 long-awaited Rafale fighter jets bought from the Dassault Aviation in France. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to France, accepted the handover at a facility of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation in Bordeaux.

During the event, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was preceded by Shastra Puja the traditional worship of weapons. Singh also went for a sortie in the aircraft a process that was also meant to test the India-specific adaptations made. Rajnath Singh met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed stronger strategic ties with France.

विजयादशमी ने अवसर पर आज फ़्रांस में किया राफ़ेल का शस्त्र पूजन।दशमी के अवसर पर शस्त्रों का पूजन भारत की प्राचीन परम्परा रही है। pic.twitter.com/f4TuEKkpwC

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 8, 2019

There are still many India specific enhancements that are being carried out and Indian Air Force personnel are training with France on several aspects like operations and maintenance.

In 2016, India decided to buy 36 Rafales from France at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. This triggered a political storm with the opposition accusing the government of striking the deal at an inflated cost.

Rajnath Singh performs Shastra Puja:

After the ceremony, Rajnath Singh carried out the ritual of Shastra Puja that is a traditional ceremony in many households in North India at the festival of Dussehra. This is a day celebrated as the victory of good over evil and what better Shastra (weapon) than the Rafale can be for the puja, he added.

Taking a sortie in Rafale was a memorable and once in a lifetime experience. The induction of Rafale will go a long way in strengthening our national defence.

India will receive the first 18 Rafale jets by February 2021. By April-May 2022 we will receive all 36 jets. pic.twitter.com/we4UeSwdG5

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 8, 2019

Singh flies India’s first Rafale Jet:

Later on, the defence minister was quick to transform into a different avatar. Getting into Air Force overalls, also referred to as the G Suit and aviators.

Rajnath Singh flew a sortie in the Rafale, in a property of the Indian Air Force. Phillipe Duchateau, the chief test pilot of Dassault Aviation, the company manufacturing Rafale, flew the defence minister for close to 30 minutes over the scenic town of Bourduex also carrying out a few manoeuvres.