The Air Force Pilots Who Flew The First Rafale Fighter Jets Of India

On July 29, India received its first batch of five Rafale jets at the Ambala Air Force base. The jets have traveled 7,000 km from the France-based Merignac airbase.

At the airbase, upon their arrival, each jet was greeted with a special water cannon salute with the attendance of the Indian Air Force’s top officials including Marshal Bhadauria, Chief of Air Staff. Bhadauria played an important role in negotiating the procurement of these jets.

Soon after the jets landed in Ambala, the pilots flying the jets were complimented by the Chief for their professionalism after a long flight from France to India.

The group of pilots consists of Group Captain Harkirat Singh (the 17 squadron’s Commanding Officer), Group captain R Kataria, Wing Commander MS Singh, Wing Commander Arun, Wing Commander Abhishek Tripathi, and Wing Commander Siddhu

Before going on a 7,000km journey, the pilots have only trained for 35 to 40 hours on the Rafales. Before that, they have only flown on lesser generation aircraft.

The landing of the Rafale jets in Ambala was a joyous occasion for UP’s Bakwa village as Wing Commander Manish Singh who was one of the pilots is a resident of the village.

Madan Singh, Manish’s father, is a retired army jawan. His wife, Urmila Singh said that she was happy that their son had made a contribution to strengthening the country.

The family said that before the jets took off from the airbase in France, they had talked with Manish. According to the family, until Class IV, Manish studied in the village. After that, he attended the Sainik School, Karnal. In 2002, he joined the Air Force. In 2017-2018, he was posted in Gorakhpur.

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