The first batch of five French-made Dassault Rafale fighter planes has landed in India’s northwestern state of Haryana. They arrive amid heightened tensions with China following a bloody border skirmish last month. The tensions with Beijing saw parts of the Indian media compare the Rafale’s combat capabilities with China’s Chengdu J-20 fighters. Ironically, the fight at the border just weeks ago was rather more low-tech, with soldiers using clubs in hand-to-hand combat. Accusations of corruption during the deal for the jets saw both France and India forced to deny that the Indian taxpayer overpaid for the warplanes. Overall, India expects the delivery of 31 additional Rafale jets by 2022.
First squadron of French-made Rafale fighter jets arrive in India
