Rafale welcomed with water canon salute, IAF formally inducts fighter jet in its fleet

The first five Rafale fighter jets that arrived on 29th June were formally inducted as part of the 17 squadron at Ambala Air Force Station on Thursday. Nicknamed Golden Arrows, were also given water cannon salute dring the induction ceremony

Earlier in the day, five Rafale fighter jets had performed an air show along with Tejas followed by ‘Sarang Aerobatic Team’.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and and Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly, witnessed the traditional 'Sarva Dharma Puja' at the Rafale induction ceremony. The 'Sarva Dharma Puja' involved incantation of hymns, ayats, and mantras by priests of various faith and belief.

This ceremony was followed by air display of Rafale fighter jets flanked by SU-30 and Jaguar aircraft in an arrow formation.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, among other senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, were also in attendance in order to mark a significant milestone in IAF’s history.

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