Enemies to bite dust! Deadly Rafale fighter jet is coming to India - from amazing mid-air refuelling to route, all you need to know

India is set to add massive heft to its air force, courtesy 5 spanking new and most deadly jet fighters! On the delivery of Rafale fighter jets to India, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed, "The first five Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafales have taken off from Dassault Aviation Facility, Merignac, France, on Monday morning. These five include three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft."

The first 5 #IAF #Rafales have taken off from Dassault Aviation Facility, Merignac, #France today morning. These 5 include 3 single-seater and 2 twin-seater aircraft. The ferry is planned in two stages & is being undertaken by IAF pilots. 1/2#RafaleJet pic.twitter.com/0TWU5zlgvQ

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 27, 2020

Rafale Flight To India

"Beauty and the Beast"- Rafale Fighter Aircraft. Ready to take off!! @DDNewslive @ANI @MEAIndia @JawedAshraf5 @rajnathsingh @PMOIndia @gouvernementFR @DrSJaishankar @IndianDiplomacy @Dassault_OnAir @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/qS9w9lP6CW

— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020

Ministry of Defence says, "The ferry of the aircraft is planned in two stages and will be undertaken by the pilots of the IAF, who have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft. The Air to Air Refuelling planned during the first leg of the ferry will be undertaken by these pilots with dedicated tanker support from the French Air Force."

First batch of 5 #Rafale fighter aircrafts fly out from Merignac, France to India.

They will add to the firepower & strike capabilities of the IAF.

Modi govt prioritised and expedited its procurement after UPA govts were indecisive despite pressing requirement of the jets. pic.twitter.com/7ZT6AEKEf7

— BJP (@BJP4India) July 27, 2020

Bon Voyage: Indian Ambassador to #France interacts with the Indian pilots of the Rafale. Congratulates and wishes them a safe flight to India with a single hop. #ResurgentIndia #NewIndia #Rafale@IAF_MCC @MeaIndia @rajnathsingh @Dassault_OnAir @DefenceMinIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/jk3IWD9tYU

— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020

The aircraft are likely to arrive at Air Force Station, Ambala, on 29 Jul 20 subject to weather. No 17 Squadron, the “Golden Arrows”, is being raised at this base equipped with Rafale aircraft.

Rafale aircrafts maneuvered by the world’s best pilots, soar into the sky. Emblematic of new heights in India-France defence collaboration #ResurgentIndia #NewIndia@IAF_MCC @MeaIndia @rajnathsingh @Dassault_OnAir @DefenceMinIndia @PMOIndia@JawedAshraf5 @DDNewslive @ANI pic.twitter.com/FrEQYROWSv

— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) July 27, 2020

Earlier, the Ministry of Defence made it clear that no media coverage is planned on arrival. The final induction ceremony will take place in the second half of August 20 wherein full media coverage would be planned, as per Ministry of Defence.

Further, Ministry of Defence had confirmed, "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."

On October 8, 2019, Rajnath Singh flew a sortie of the inducted Rafale aircraft in France. "The new Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) will make India stronger and will give a boost to its air dominance exponentially to ensure peace and security in the region," the minister had said during his address at the Rafale handing over ceremony at France's Merignac.