IAF pilots train on Rafale jets

New Delhi: Three Rafale fighter jets are engaged in an exercise with the Indian Air Force in Gwalior and Agra, amid a raging controversy over the Rs 58,000-crore deal to procure 36 of them by the government.
Officials said around 100 French aviators, one Atlas A-400M military transport aircraft, one C-135 refuelling plane and an Airbus A310 cargo aircraft have also come to India along with the Rafale jets on a four-day visit.
They said a batch of IAF pilots have got an opportunity to train on the Rafale jets.
The aircraft landed in India on Saturday after visiting Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore. The delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September 2019.
The Congress has raised several questions about the deal including alleged inflated rate of the aircraft but the government has rejected the charges.
In a statement, the French embassy here said that joint flights and exchanges between the French and Indian Air Forces will be conducted as part of the four-day tour by the French contingent. (PTI)