While speaking on celebration of 86th Air Force Day at IAF Eastern Command at Shillong, Chief of the Eastern Air Command Air Marshal R Nambiar said, The Rafale fighter jets are “highly capable” and will be a game changer for the Indian Air Force. He added that Air Force units in the region, except for some in West Bengal will get the modern platforms, including the Rafale, the Chinook and the Apache attack helicopters.
“The Rafale is an excellent aircraft. I had the opportunity to fly it in France two weeks ago. Let me assure you that this is a very good platform, highly capable and a game changer. Its presence in this area would give us a lot of deterrence.”
On being asked if the capability enhancement of the command is to deter any country, including China, he said the capability enhancement was for India. He also said the Rafale would be based in Hasimara, West Bengal, in the command close to the Assam border.
The statement of Air Marshal R Nambiar comes as the shot in the arm of government which has come under grave scanner over procurement of these fighter planes.
