Indian Air Chief in France

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff IAF visited France on 17-20 July 2017 “to further strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries.” The areas of cooperation presently include exchanges in military training courses, mutual visits by aviation experts and joint air exercises. The Indian CAS also visited Headquarters of the French Air Force and some operational air bases, besides interacting with representatives of military aviation industry in France and the Indian Rafale Programme Management Team (PMT). “The Rafale is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and will be equipped with the latest missiles that will give the IAF greater potency”.

Following his sortie in the Rafale from St Dizier ( see image), Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was quoted as saying “I flew a Rafale in a two-versus-two mission involving two Rafales against two Mirage 2000D opponents. I am impressed with the superior swing role capability of the Rafale and its highly integrated weapon sensor and survivability suite”. The Air Chief also interacted with senior executives of Dassault Aviation who briefed him about progress in the programme to supply fighters to the IAF. According to various sources, the company Dassault have set sights on supplying up to 200 Rafales to India over next decade.