French Defence Minister Florence Parly and her Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, welcomed the induction of the Rafale fighter into the Indian Air Force as symbol of India-France ties. They were speaking at the induction ceremony of the Rafale fighter jet into the Indian Air Force at Ambala on Thursday.
Parly said the Indian Air Force was receiving a “world class” capability in the Rafale. She said the Rafale would give the Indian Air Force an “important sovereign tool”. Parly said the Rafale was “combat proven” in both the French Air Force and Navy. She cited the Rafale’s record in operations in Mali and against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Parly also declared France was committed to the ‘Make in India’ programme.
Rajnath Singh said the induction of Rafale into Indian Air Force showed strength of India-France ties, which extended to multiple spheres. He noted India and France have had "vibrant defence cooperation" since India’s independence. He stressed both France and India espoused principles of liberty, equality, fraternity and vasudev kutumbakam (whole world is one family) in the whole world.
He declared the Rafale's induction was a "game changer". He cited the Rafale's heavy weapons load and fuel capacity and capability to take off from short airfields, all of which made it one of the best aircraft in world.
Rajnath said the induction of the Rafale was important given the security situation in recent days, alluding to the situation on the border with China. Rajnath declared, “Rafale induction is a big and stern message for the entire world, especially to those eyeing our sovereignty. This induction is important considering the kind of atmosphere at our borders or should I say the kind of atmosphere created at our borders.”
Rajnath stressed India's security responsibilities did not end at its borders, but also extended to the Indian Ocean region. Rajnath noted India and France had common perceptions on regional security and cited military exercises with the French military.
Rajnath also invited French companies to invest in India's defence sector and highlighted reforms related to relaxed FDI rules and offsets.
Without naming China, Rajnath lauded the Indian Air Force for rapidly deploying to forward bases amid the ongoing tension.
