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First batch of Rafales reaches UAE airbase on way to India from France

In the evening, officials said all five Rafales landed safely in Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE after a sortie in excess of seven hours

Rafale jets. Photo: Indian Embassy in France

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The IAF official said the air-to-air refuelling of the aircraft will be undertaken with dedicated tanker support from the French Air Force. Photo: Indian Embassy in France

Press Trust of India New Delhi

6 min read Last Updated : Jul 27 2020 | 10:05 PM IST

The first batch of five Rafale fighter aircraft, which took off from France for India on Monday, landed safely at the Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE after a sortie in excess of seven hours.

The aircraft flew out from the Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux and will cover a distance of nearly 7,000 km with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop in the United Arab Emirates before arriving at Ambala airbase on Wednesday, officials said.

"You can call them (Rafale) both beauty and the beast," said Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf after interacting with the IAF pilots

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