India is setting up the base of its first squadron of Rafale fighter jets in Bengal. The IAF has now finalised plans for the first 18 Rafales to be stationed at the Hasimara airbase in Bengal from late-2019.
Rafale fighter jets are capable of delivering nuclear weapons, in the eastern sector as part of the overall policy to gradually build nuclear as well as conventional deterrence against China.
Sukhoi-30MKI fighters are valready operating from Tezpur and Chabua in Assam.
Under the Rs 59,000 crore (7.87 billion euro) deal inked with France in September last year, the IAF will get 36 Rafales in batches by mid-2022 or so. With 14 India-specific requirements, including the capability for “cold start” from high-altitude regions, the Rafale packs quite a punch with its ability to carry 9.3-tonne of weapons and simultaneously perform both air defence and ground attack missions.
The Hasimara airbase currently has MiG-27s that will be retired over the next two-three years. They will be replaced by Rafales.
The Sarsawa base (UP), among other places, is being considered for the second Rafale squadron.
The IAF also activated the advance landing ground (ALG) at Tuting, in Arunachal’s Upper Siang district. It is the sixth such ALG to be made operational in Arunachal apart from the ones in eastern Ladakh, all with an eye firmly on China.
Moreover, the Panagarh base in Bengal is also set to get its six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
