New Delhi, February 11 The Indian Air Force is looking forward to induct "many more" of the newer-generation aircraft into its inventory, and "the sooner, the better," said Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, on Wednesday.
The move aims to enhance the overall combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force.
At a press conference held here ahead of Exercise Vayu Shakti, when asked whether the IAF is looking to induct more Rafale, given that it was a "hero" of the force during Operation Sindoor, he added that Rafale is definitely a "key asset".
"Rafale was definitely a key asset, among other assets, during Operation Sindoor. Yes, Rafale is a key asset, it is definitely a key asset," the VCAS said.
"The IAF is looking forward to induct many more MRFA aircraft, whether that will be Rafale or any other aircraft, is currently under consideration. And, a concrete decision on it has not yet been taken," he said.
The term MRFA refers to multi-role fighter aircraft.
"The IAF is looking forward to induct many more of the newer-generation aircraft into its inventory, and the sooner, the better," he said.
The Indian Air Force will demonstrate its full range of combat and firepower capabilities during Exercise 'Vayu Shakti' at the Pokharan range near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan on February 27, which will also highlight the success of Operation Sindoor and the IAF's ability to "swiftly neutralize the enemy" and dominate the operational environment.
More than 120 air assets, comprising 77 fighter jets, including Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, LCA Tejas, Jaguar, Mirage-2000; Apache, Chinook and LCH Prachand, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), among helicopters, and eight transport aircraft will be part of the exercise, according to IAF officials.
In the 2024 edition of 'Vayu Shakti', Rafale, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand and Apache attack helicopters were among the assets which had taken part in the exercise for the first time.
Rafale is manufactured by French defence major Dassault Aviation.
The first five Rafale aircraft of the IAF had arrived at Air Force Station, Ambala, in July 2020 and were later inducted into it.
India has two operational Rafale squadrons -- No. 17 'Golden Arrows' based in Ambala, Haryana, and No. 101 'Falcons' based in Hasimara, West Bengal.
The IAF had formally inducted Rafale aircraft into No. 101 Squadron at Air Force Station, Hasimara in July 2021.
