India to deploy Rafale jets near Pak, China borders

NE DELHI: The Indian Air Force is going to deploy its latest Rafale combat aircraft at Ambala in Haryana (near Pakistan) and Hasimara in West Bengal (near China), reports foreign media. 

In September 2016, India signed a deal with French Dassault Aviation to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets for close to Rs 60,000 crore to arrest the fall of combat squadrons and meet urgent requirements on the eastern and western fronts. 

"One squadron (comprising 18 aircraft) would be based in Ambala, while the other would be deployed at Hashimara. These would cater to requirements on both the fronts," a government official said.

After aggressive patrolling by the Chinese on the eastern and northern borders and its increasing defence ties with Pakistan, the Indian military has been preparing itself for a two-front war and developing infrastructure on both sides.