BS Dhanoa in France to boost relations

New Delhi: Chief of Air Staff B.S. Dhanoa left for France on Sunday on a four-day visit to bolster cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries across a range of areas, the Indian Air Force said.

The supply of 36 Rafale fighter jets by French aviation major Dassault to the IAF under a Rs 59,000 crore deal inked in September last year will be an area of focus.

“The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries,” the IAF said in a statement.

The Rafale, in which Air Marshal Dhanoa is likely to fly a sortie, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and be equipped with the latest missiles that will remarkably add to IAF’s power.

Besides interacting with the top echelon of the French military aviation industry and visiting the Rafale PMT Infrastructure, the chief is scheduled to hold talks with the top brass of the French armed forces on security challenges being faced by the two countries in the current geo-political scenario and explore ways to further deepen defence cooperation. The current cooperation between the two forces includes military training and joint air exercises.

Defence and security ties between India and France have been on an upswing for the last couple of years and the two nations have resolved to strengthen the relationship further.

Air Marshal Dhanoa will also visit the headquarters of the French Air Force and a few operational air bases.

The Rafale combat aircraft will come with various India-specific modifications including Israeli helmet mounted displays, radar warning receivers and low band jammers, among others.

The Inter-Governmental Agreement for the supply of the jets was signed in September last year.

According to the deal, the delivery of the jets will start in 36 months and will be completed in 67 months from the date the contract is inked.