NEW DELHI, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- India on Thursday received the last Rafael fighter jet from France completing a massive defense deal as tension between India and China intensified.
According to the Indian Airforce Twitter account, "The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker".
India had signed a defense deal worth EUR 7.87 billion in September 2016 after negotiations that lasted for years.
First five Rafael jets were received in June 2020 from French aerospace company Dassault Aviation as part of New Delhi's efforts to modernize its aging fighter jet fleet.
Both the countries had reiterated their commitment to cement defense and strategic ties during the fourth India-France Defense Dialogue in New Delhi with the participation of French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Licorne last month.
India is receiving last Rafale fighter jet amid increasing tension with its neighbor China, following clashes between the border forces of the two countries in the Tawang region of north Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
China had also expressed its objection recently to the India-US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control in the Himalayan hill station of Auli in Chamoli district of north Indian state of Uttarakhand. (end) atk.gta