Cavalier India Defence Training Academy

A third batch of three Rafale fighter jets landed in India on Wednesday evening after flying non-stop from France, in a further boost to the strike capability of the Indian Air Force when India and China are engaged in a bitter border standoff in eastern Ladakh.  With the arrival of the new batch, the number of the Rafale aircraft has increased to 11.  "The third batch of three Rafale aircraft landed at an IAF base a short while ago. They flew over 7000Km with in-flight refuelling. The aircraft got airborne earlier in the day from #IstresAirBase in France. IAF deeply appreciates the tanker support provided by UAE Air Force," the Indian Air Force said in a tweet.  The Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) of the United Arab Emirates provided mid-air refuelling to the three Rafale jets.  "Three more #Rafale jets take off from France for a non stop flight to India with mid air refueling by UAE MRTT; Adding more strength to India's air power. Wishing our amazing pilots smo...

HIGHLIGHTS The IAF is in the process of inducting the DRDO's Astra missile into its fleet.  |  Photo : PTI Along with the Meteor missile, India's indigenously made Astra missile, will allow the IAF to regain the air strike superiority it surrendered to Pakistan post the Kargil War. Pakistan's AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM missile, reportedly, has a maximum range of approximately 105 km. The MICA has a maximum range of just 50km, and the R-77, supposedly Russia's answer to the American missile, has a range of  80km. The Astra, with a reported range of 100km, will prove to be a fine addition to the spine of the IAF's fleet. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun the process to procure and induct the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Astra missile into its fleet. Along with induction of the Astra, it is also currently integrating the Israeli I-Derby Extended Range missile on its Su 30 MKI. Speaking to the media, IAF representatives explained that, along with the medi...