July 29, 2021
2 mins read

IAF formally inducts Rafale aircraft into 101 Squadron at Hasimara

Hasimara in West Bengal earlier had a MiG 27 Squadron that has now been decommissioned….reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday formally inducted the Rafale aircraft into its 101 Squadron at the Air Force Station in Hasimara under the Eastern Air Command (EAC).

Hasimara in West Bengal earlier had a MiG 27 Squadron that has now been decommissioned.

It is a strategic base for Indian Air Force operations because of its proximity to Bhutan.

The Chumbi Valley, where lies a tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China, is close to Doklam where a standoff took place in 2017. The tri-junction has been matter of concern for all the three nations.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria said that the induction of Rafale had been carefully planned at Hasimara, keeping in mind the importance of strengthening IAF’s capability in the eastern sector.

IAF formally inducts Rafale aircraft into 101 Squadron at HasimaratWITTER@IAF_MCC

He was referring to the threat from China in the region. India and China are engaged in a border dispute for the last one-and-a-half years and talks are on at the diplomatic and military levels to lower the tension and resolve the issue.

Recalling the glorious history of 101 Squadron, which has been bestowed with the title ‘Falcons of Chamb and Akhnoor’, Bhadauria urged the air warriors to combine their zeal and commitment with the unmatched potential of the newly inducted platform.

He said that he had no doubt that the Squadron would dominate whenever and wherever required, and ensure that the adversary would always be intimidated by their sheer presence.

101 Squadron is the second IAF Squadron to be equipped with Rafale aircraft. The Squadron was formed on May 1, 1949 at Palam and has operated Harvard, Spitfire, Vampire, Su-7 and MiG-21M aircraft in the past.

The glorious history of this Squadron includes active participation in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

IAF formally inducts Rafale aircraft into 101 Squadron at HasimaratWITTER@IAF_MCC

The first squadron was raised in Ambala after the first batch of five Rafale aircraft landed on July 29, 2020. These aircraft were inducted into the 17 Golden Arrows Squadron at the Ambala Air Base on September 10.

India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft and has the latest weapons, superior sensors and fully integrated architecture.

It is an omni-role aircraft which means it can carry out at least four missions in one sortie.

The fighter aircraft are equipped with HAMMER missiles. They will also be armed with beyond visual range missiles like Meteor, SCALP and MICA, increasing their ability to take on incoming targets from a distance.

ALSO READ: Chandrayaan-3 likely to be launched in second half of 2022

Previous Story

Chandrayaan-3 likely to be launched in second half of 2022

Next Story

India skips London Climate meet on technical reasons

Latest from -Top News

UN urges restraint in Pak-Afghan clashes

Bennett’s statement came after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that 12 Afghan civilians were killed and over 100 others injured in recent attacks…reports Asian Lite News UN Special Rapporteur on human rights

Pakistan-Afghanistan border Attack kills 12

Mujahid said that multiple Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory action by Afghan forces…reports Asian Lite News At least 12 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a Pakistani military

India, UK military conduct joint exercise

The exercise also reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and the United Kingdom towards maintaining regional peace, security, and stability. The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a joint exercise with the United

16 dead in Dhaka factory fire

The death toll in the blaze is likely to rise, warned another fire official, who did not want to be named….reports Asian Lite News At least 16 people have died after a

India wins unopposed seat on UNHRC

India last served on the HRC in 2024, completing a second consecutive term….reports Asian Lite News India has been elected unopposed to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the seventh time,
Go toTop