The first five of 36 purchased Dassault Rafale fighter planes purchased by the Indian air force arrived at Ambala Air Station, India, on Wednesday.

The French-built planes flew to Abu Dhabi and then to India, the Indian air force announced.

The aircraft are part of a $965 million purchase to upgrade India's military, as it contends with Pakistan on its west and China on its east, officials have noted.

"On entering the Indian airspace, the Rafales were given an aerial welcome by two IAF Su-30 aircraft. At AF Stn Ambala, they were accorded the traditional 'Water Cannon Salute," air force officials said on Twitter.

The Indian government discouraged media coverage or celebration, opting instead for a "final induction ceremony" in August.

"IAF aircrew and ground crew have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft,including its highly advanced weapons systems, and are fully operational now," Indian air force officials said earlier this month ahead of the delivery. "Post arrival, efforts will focus on operationalization of the aircraft at the earliest."

Although some members of the country's National Congress remained opposed to the cost of the planes, numerous Indian officials used social media to send congratulations.

"I would like to add, if it is anyone who should be worried about or critical about this new capability of the Indian Air Force, it should be those who want to threaten our territorial integrity," said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, said to be a veiled warning to China.

China and India have long been involved in military incidents over disputed border territory. In June, India deployed surface-to-air missiles to its border with China in the Himalayan Mountains after a clash with Chinese troops left 20 Indian soldiers dead.

The first Rafales in India will be stationed at Ambala, about 135 miles from the India-Pakistan border. The second group of planes will be stationed near the border with China at Hasimara Air Station.

The planes, used by the militaries of France, Egypt and Qatar, are known for their agility in the air, and typically carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.

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First French fighter jets head to India after purchase
Paris (AFP) July 27, 2020
The first five of a batch of French Rafale fighter jets purchased by New Delhi in a controversial multibillion-dollar deal headed to India on Monday for rapid deployment amid rising tensions with China. The deal, estimated to be worth $9.4 billion, has been overshadowed by corruption allegations levelled by the opposition Congress party although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected the claims. The jets built by Dassault Aviation - and piloted by officers from the Indian Air Force (I ... read more