-SATISH HANDA

First lot of five Rafale aircrafts likely to be a game changer for the security of country from   enemies left France on July 17, 2020 and landed at Indian Air Force station airbase Ambala on July 29 after covering 7264 km journey having stay on the way at Al-dafda airbase at UAE brought by seven Indian pilots trained on these fighter aircrafts at France. Indian Air force is having a strength 272 Sukhoi MKI fighter aircrafts manufactured in Russia which played important role during Pulwama attack.

Preparations to accommodate Rafale aircrafts as well as storage of most modern weapons in these aircrafts has already been completed and hangers are ready at the air force station with provision to construct more in future work going on at present. Among five aircrafts arrived at Ambala include three single seat and two twin seat aircrafts. There was simple welcome of fighter aircrafts in view of security measures as well as due to corona virus epidemic outbreak in the country as such Deputy Commissioner Ambala Ashok Kumar had announced Section 144 in 3 km area around Indian Air Force Station and traffic on the road remained suspended throughout the day. Photography by even media persons was also prohibited..

Commanding officer 17 Squarden Golden Arrow Group Captain Harkirat Singh ‘Shaurya Chakra’ bravery award winner in 2009 controlling the management of Rafale aircrafts told that as many as 16 pilots have been trained  for these fighter aircrafts and there would be 30 pilots and 150-200 ground staff  members in the Squarden having strength of 18 aircraft. Ambala airbase at a distance of 200 km from Pakistan border and 300 km from China border was having Jaguar and Mig 21 fighter aircrafts played important role in 1965 and 1971wars. Group Captain Harkirat Singh told that Rafale fighter aircrafts having 2100 km/hour speed is capable to reach Pakistan in six minutes and China in nine minutes.