Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that Rafale multi-role fighter jets will boost India’s air dominance exponentially. Talking to media persons at Merignac in France, Mr Singh said, the aircraft will enhance the Indian Air Force’s combat capability massively.

The Minister said, India does not purchase arms and other defence equipment to threaten any country but to increase its capabilities and strengthen defences. Defence Minister yesterday formally took delivery of the first of the 36 French-made aircraft acquired by the IAF. Mr Singh attended the handover ceremony along with his French counterpart Florence Parly at aircraft maker Dassault Aviation facility in Merignac, southwestern France. Mr Singh performed Shastra Puja on the new aircraft and undertook a sortie in the Rafale. He said, Indian Air Force is the fourth-largest in the world and the Rafale Combat Aircraft will make us even stronger to ensure peace and security in the region. Defence Minister said, it marks a new milestone in the Indo-French strategic partnership and indeed a new high in the bilateral defence cooperation. Mr Singh said the strong cooperation between India and France will continue to grow and contribute to global peace, prosperity and environmental sustainability.

India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth 59,000 crore rupees in September 2016. All 36 jets are expected to arrive in India by September 2022.