The final 36 Rafale jets are delivered to the IAF for an air exercise in the northeast

With its full complement of Rafale combat jets assisting it, the Indian Air Force on Thursday launched a significant exercise covering the Northeast despite a recent escalation in border tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.

Nearly all of its frontline fighter jets and other assets stationed in the area are participating in the two-day major exercise, according to people familiar with the drill.

The IAF announced that the last of the 36 Rafale fighters had entered the fleet in a tweet. In July of last year, the IAF incorporated the Rafale aircraft into its 101 Squadron of the Eastern Air Command at the Hasimara. The first Rafale squadron included about 18 aircraft is based in Ambala air base.

This news is written by Ms. Pujari Dharani, Research Assistant, All India Legal Forum.