The French side will deliver Rafale military aircraft to India without delay, French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said May 24, EDNews.net reports citing Bulgarian Military News.
The Ambassador of France noted that there is no reason for concern about the delivery of aircraft, because France strictly complies with the deadlines for the supply of fighter jets.
Recall that in September 2016, India and France signed an agreement amounting to 7.87 billion Euros for the supply of 36 Rafale multirole fighters. New fighters were expected to land in India in the last week of May, but the Indian Air Force command did not receive confirmation from Dassault Aviation.
We also recall that previously there were reports that France will not fulfill the contract on time in connection with the epidemic of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
France was the second most affected country in Europe with reported cases of coronavirus cases of 2284 people and deaths reach 55. In several cities in France, including Bordeaux, which is near Merignac, where Rafale’s production line is located, positive coronavirus cases have been reported.
Ambala Air Force Base, where the first four Rafale fighters will be deployed, is gearing up for the new fighter armament ceremony. They will be part of the 17th Golden Arrows.
The second Rafale squadron will be deployed at Hasimira Air Base in West Bengal to counter the threat posed by China.