India has now completed the induction of all 36 Rafale fighter jets into its air force arsenal, significantly enhancing its aerial combat capabilities. This advanced fleet marks a major upgrade from 2019, when the Indian Air Force conducted surgical airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot using Mirage 2000 jets. The acquisition of the Rafale aircraft, which began in 2020, has positioned India as a dominant air power in the region.
The Rafales are currently operational in two squadrons based in Ambala, Haryana, and Hashimara, West Bengal, providing strategic coverage across both western and eastern fronts.
The timing of this advancement is particularly significant as India conducts 'Exercise Aakraman' — a large-scale aerial drill in the central sector — led by the Rafale squadrons. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to the attack, vowed that India would go to any extent to bring the perpetrators and their supporters to justice.
During the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, India deployed Spice-2000 precision-guided bombs using its Mirage 2000 jets. However, the introduction of the French SCALP cruise missiles, capable of striking targets over 300 km away with pinpoint accuracy, has further expanded India’s strike envelope via the Rafale platform.
The Balakot operation and subsequent aerial skirmish underscored the urgent need for advanced fighter jets. During that confrontation, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman famously shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter before being captured and later returned. He was awarded the Vir Chakra and now serves as a Group Captain.
Looking ahead, India is set to further strengthen its air power by procuring 26 Rafale M (Marine) jets for deployment aboard its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. This acquisition will enhance India’s maritime strike capabilities and reinforce its position as a formidable force in the Indo-Pacific.
With a full fleet of Rafale aircraft now in operation, and additional acquisitions on the horizon, India continues to solidify its strategic edge in regional air superiority.
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