SHILLONG: The controversial Rafale aircraft will be with Indian Airforce in September next and by 2020 in Eastern Air Command.
The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal R Nambiar on Saturday said the Rafale is an excellent aircraft.
He said while the Indian Air Force will get the Rafael aircraft by September next year, one year later, the fighter jets will be deployed in Hasimara Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force which is located strategically near the Indo-Bhutan border in Alipurduar district, West Bengal.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the Air Fest at Upper Shillong on Saturday, Nambiar said he flew the aircraft two weeks back and the aircraft is highly capable and a game changer.
The Rafale aircraft deal is in the news with the Opposition Congress targeting the Prime Minister for the price of the deal and the choice of the partner.
Asserting that the Rafale would provide capability which never existed in this part of the world, Nambiar added that the aircraft would be deployed in the Eastern Air Command sector depending on the requirements since EAC is looking after the five border areas including China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and others.
He also informed that the Eastern Air Command is getting induction of new equipment and it is also learning new modern techniques.
