India commissions French Rafale jets
India's defence minister yesterday hailed the formal commissioning of the country's first new French Rafale jets as a "strong message" to its adversaries, amid an escalating border row with China.
The first five of a $9.4-billion order for 36 Rafale aircraft formally entered service following a ceremony in Ambala in northern India.
"The induction of Rafale is a strong message for the world and especially for those who challenge India's sovereignty," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, without mentioning China directly. "Our country will not take any step to disturb peace anywhere. We expect the same from our neighbours," Singh added.
Meanwhile, India has signed a mutual logistics support arrangement (MLSA) with Japan, with an eye firmly on China's expansionist behaviour in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, reports TNN. The agreement provides for creation of an enabling framework for closer cooperation, interoperability and use of each other's military facilities by the armed forces of the two countries, the official said.
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