RAFALE AIRCRAFT

About:

• The first Rafale aircraft for the IAF has been built by Dassault Aviation as per specifications of the IAF. It is a two-seater variant.
  
  
• The first Rafale aircraft is designated RB 008.
  • RB stands for Air Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria as he had a major role in the contract negotiations.
    
    
  • He was the Deputy Chief of the IAF during the contract negotiations for 36 Rafale jets and is presently the Air Officer Commanding-In-Chief of the IAF’s Training Command.
    
    
  
  
  
• Background:
  • In September 2016, India and France signed a €7.87 billion Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 36 Rafale multi-role fighter jets in fly-away condition.
    
    
  • The surprise announcement for the 36 aircraft was made by Prime Minister Modi during a visit to Paris in April 2015, citing “critical operational necessity” of the IAF.