Will all 36 Rafale aircraft join the Indian Air Force next year?

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said on Saturday that 36 Rafale aircraft will be inducted in the Air Force by 2022. On the timeline for receiving 36 fighter jets from France, he said the Air Force’s target was fixed on the plan to induct Rafale. He said that our target is 2022. It is absolutely certain. I had mentioned it earlier also. Except for one or two planes, there may be a slight delay due to covid reasons, but some planes are arriving ahead of time.

That’s why we are very focused on the Rafale induction plan, he said. As you know, we are fully prepared on the plan of operation, so in terms of time, we will complete the work on time. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria was interacting with reporters after inspecting the Combined Graduation Parade of the Air Force Academy at Dundigal here. In the year 2016, India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France according to which 36 Rafale aircraft were to be purchased for Rs 59,000 crore. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had said in February that by April 2022, the entire consignment of fighter jets would be present in the country. Asked about the situation in eastern Ladakh, the Air Chief said that talks are on between China and India and the first step is to move forward by reaching an agreement and to carry out the process of retreat at the points of conflict.