Indian Air Chief Flies Sortie, Inspects Rafale Production Facilities

On a four-day goodwill visit to France, India’s Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne flew a one-hour sortie in the Rafale aircraft that has recently been acquired by India in a multi-billion dollar deal. On the IAF Chief’s first agenda was the visit to Cognac, Istres and St.Dizier airbases of the French Air Force (FAF). At St.Dizier, he got a first-hand impression of the MRCA winner and was also witness to the Rafale’s Production facilities at Mérignac which also oversees the progress of the various projects being carried forward as joint ventures between the two countries. Browne is also expected to interact members of the IAF’s Project Management Team members involved in the Mirage- 2000 Upgrade Project. The visit is expected to boost the already robust bilateral military to military ties between the two nations. The high level visit is the first significant appointment from India to France since the new government was elected.