As India’s dream Rafale fighter jets arrived in the country on Wednesday (July 29), Indian cricketers both former and current, like other countrymen, have been welcoming and celebrating the arrival of the latest beast weapons of the Indian Air Force on social media.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday (July 30), Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who holds an honorary rank of Group Captain in IAF, has also welcomed the deadly fighter jets to the IAF’s fleet.
Read Also: Indian cricket fraternity welcomes the first batch of Rafale fighter jets in the country
Tendulkar also congratulated the IAF for adding five Rafale jets to its fleet, saying that it is a “massive upgrade for our Defence Forces.”
He wrote on Twitter: “Heartiest congratulations to #IndianAirForce for adding the state-of-the-art fighter jet Rafale, to our fleet. It’s a massive upgrade for our Defence Forces who are tirelessly protecting our nation in the skies. Jai Hind.”
Noteworthy, the first five of 36 purchased brand-new Indian Air Force Dassault Rafale fighters jets arrived in India after covering a journey of 8500-km from France to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with mid-air refueling support by French Air Force tanker aircraft on their way to India.
The modern French-made Rafale fighter jets touched-down at Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana on Wednesday while the formal induction ceremony of the Rafale aircraft in 17 Squadron is scheduled to be held in the second half of August, according to an IAF a statement.
The special jets which will boost India's air power massively were given a special water cannon salute at the strategically-located airbase, around 200 km away from the India-Pakistan border.
The delivery of the remaining Rafale aircrafts is expected to be completed by next year.
(With ANI Inputs)
