Five Rafale jets to be operational soon with HAMMER missiles

Photo: India In France/Twitter

New Delhi: As integration and trial of Israeli-developed SPICE 2000 bombs with the newly-acquired Rafale fighter jets were demanding a lot of time, India has decided to fit HAMMER missiles on the aircraft in view of ongoing border problems with China in Ladakh. This would enable the Indian Air Force to make Rafale aircraft operational without delay.

Sources said that India was left with no other option in the emerging emergency situation other than opt for HAMMER missiles, which are already compatible with and integrated into the Rafale jets; thus ignoring integration of SPICE 2000 bombs in the fighter jets, as of now.

Indian pilots flew five Rafale jets from France on Monday and reach the Ambala Air Force station on Wednesday. The team would take a night halt at Al Dhafra air base near Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

Emphasising the emergency situation India is facing, Indian officials on the condition of anonymity said that Rafale jets with the HAMMER missiles would be put into operation without delay. The sources said that a team of ground support staff and pilots have undergone training for the last one-and-half years in France.

IANS

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