The Indian Air Force will soon start upgrading its Rafale fleet right from January 2022. India has so far received around 30 fighter jets from France and the deliveries of the remaining ones will also be completed by next year.
Government sources informed ANI, “A high-level team of the Indian Air Force officers is in France to evaluate the performance of the testbed aircraft with tail number RB-008 at the Istres air base there. The aircraft has been equipped with all the India Specific Enhancements agreed upon between the two sides in the 2016 contract.”
Once the upgrades are ratified by the air force, the upgrade with commence from January next year. The specific up-gradation will comprise of the integration of highly capable missiles, low band jammers, and satellite communication systems as per the requirement of the IAF.
Sources reported that IAF has said the kits would be brought from France and each month three to four Rafale jets would be upgraded to the ISE standards. The entire enhancement process would take place at Ambala Air Force Station which is also the first base of Rafales.
