GUWAHATI, Sept 14 - With the procurement of Rafale aircraft, India stands to enhance its air space security, said Air Marshal (retd) and member of the North Eastern Council (NEC) Anjan Kumar Gogoi while speaking at an online event on �The induction of Rafale into the Indian Air Force � Challenges in training and operationalisation� conducted by city-based Royal Global University (RGU) on Monday, said a press release.
Putting forward his personal views, Air Marshal Gogoi spoke on the Indian Air Force (IAF) since Independence and the vintage aircraft being replaced, newer ones procured every 10 years, thus upgrading the IAF. However, in the last 20 years, no aircraft were procured. But with the procurement of the 36 Rafale aircraft, India stands to enhance its air space security, he said.
He said the IAF�s 17 squadron �Golden Arrows� which was �number-plated� in 2016, was resurrected on September 10, 2019 at Ambala. This will be the first Rafale squadron. This core group would also split into two to form the second Rafale squadron at Hashmira, North Bengal in the east next year.�He added that this 4th-plus generation fighter with semi-stealth capabilities, is an agile aircraft and capable of simultaneously packaging air superiority, interdiction, reconnaissance, airborne nuclear deterrent missions, operational preparation and deployment.
Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale would perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, deep ground strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions, Air Marshal (retd) Gogoi said. This aircraft is referred to as an �omnirole� aircraft by Dassault. Rafale is likely to maintain high availability and mission success rate, he said and deftly answered questions on the Rafale deal and India manufacturing its own aircraft.
Welcoming Air Marshal (retd) Gogoi, Prof AK Buragohain, Chairperson Academics, RGU, said that purchase of the Rafale aircraft and its induction into the Indian Air Force would be a game-changer.
RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof SP Singh spoke on the MoU signed by RGU with Paris Air Inc., Florida, the USA. He called upon every flying aspirant-student to make the best use of this facility now available in the North East and become India�s pride by flying Rafale aircraft after graduating in BSc Aviation with commercial pilot licence.
Faculty, staff and students of RGU as well as from across India joined the online event which was moderated by Parismita Goswami, lecturer, Royal School of Engineering & Technology, the press release added.
