According to the Hindustan Times, France, in response to India’s request to speed up the delivery of fighter jets, Rafale will hand over their next batch on July 27.
The Indian Air Force is considering the deployment of the latest French Rafale fighters on the border with China in Eastern Ladakh. This was reported by the Hindustan Times on Monday, citing military sources.
“This perspective will be considered at the Air Force Command meeting in New Delhi July 22-24,” the article says. – Rafale fighters may be deployed along the line of de facto control with China to enhance the operational capability of Indian Armed Forces despite the withdrawal of India and China in East Ladakh.
“This is a complex and time-consuming process, which has been marked by a lack of mutual trust between the parties”, – the source quotes.
According to the newspaper, France, in response to India’s request to expedite the delivery of fighter jets Rafale will hand over their next batch on July 27. Instead of four planes, as planned, it will include six fighters. At present, the Indian Air Force has four Rafale fighters.
In September 2016 India ordered from France 36 aircraft of this type worth $6.5 billion. According to the initial delivery schedule, the first 18 aircraft were to be delivered to India by February 2021, while the rest were expected in April-May 2022. However, due to the military confrontation between India and China in Eastern Ladakh, it was decided to expedite their delivery. Now India has deployed to the east of Ladakhia fighters MiG-29, Su-30MKI, attack helicopters Apache and multipurpose helicopters CH-47F Chinook.
The Situation in East Ladakhkh aggravated after in May and June there were clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers. In them died at least 20 soldiers of India and about 45 Chinese soldiers. India and China have since increased the concentration of their troops in the area. In early July, after bilateral negotiations, a gradual withdrawal of Chinese and Indian troops from the line of de facto control began.