However, there was no immediate reaction from the Indian government or the BJP. The Mediapart said the probe into the inter-governmental deal signed in 2016 was formally opened on June 14. "A judicial probe into suspected corruption has been opened in France over the 7.8-billion-euro sale to India in 2016 of 36 Dassault-built Rafale fighter aircraft," the Mediapart reported on the latest development on the controversial deal.France will deliver three Rafale fighters per month for the next three months with the last of the 36 contracted omni-role fighters carrying all 13 India specific enhancements to be delivered in January 2022. While 26 4.5 generation Rafale fighters are already operational from Ambala in the western sector and Hashimara in the eastern sector, three more Dassault manufactured fighters will be landing at Jamnagar base with the help of close ally UAE mid-air refueller on October 13. Three more are expected to be delivered in November and another three joining the Indian Air Force (IAF) in December. However, it is the 36th Rafale fighter that will be equipped with all India specific enhancements to make the platform more lethal. Already India specific enhancements have been included in Hammer air to ground, SCALP land attack and Meteor air to air missiles used by Rafale with more range, more height and more accuracy. It is only after the 36th fighter has landed after testing all India specific enhancements with some technologies having Israeli origins that the previous 35 fighters will be fitted with all the enhancements. While the India specific enhancements remain classified, they are understood to be pertaining to more powerful radio altimeter, radar warning receiver, low band jammer, flight data recorder, high-altitude engine start-up, synthetic aperture radar, ground moving target indicator and tracking, infra-red search and track, helmet-mounted display, missile approach warning systems and very high-frequency range decoys. RELATED STORIES What is XE variant? Experts on common symptoms, severity and possibility of new wave IMD predicts heavy rainfall, severe heatwave in these states for next two days Imran Khan attempted to sack Pakistan army chief Gen Bajwa: Report ‘Freedom struggle begins again’: Imran Khan's first reaction after ouster as Pak PM Ayesha Takia's husband Farhan Azmi alleges racism at Goa airport, says CISF officer 'tried to touch my wife' 'We were reading through MCC Laws of Cricket. Here's what we found': RCB's bold tweet on Kohli's dismissal against MI PMS: Ayurveda expert suggests lifestyle changes to ease severe symptoms Shah Rukh Khan takes Suhana and Abram along for a car ride, fans wonder if they are headed to KKR's IPL match France, one of India’s closest strategic allies, has already sent the enhanced missiles and ammunition for Rafale to IAF. While the Meteor missile is best in its category in the Indian subcontinent, the Hammer and SCALP have pinpointed accuracy with last-minute target adjustment capability and radar avoidance. These weapon systems have multiple guidance facilities so that the enemy has no chance of jamming the missile either in the air to air or land-attack mode and can be used in stand-off mode for land targets over 70 kilometres away. While the Indian Navy is also examining the option of Rafale-Maritime fighter for its indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, to be launched next August, the IAF has been asked to rationalize its fighter squadron strength due to the enhanced capability of Rafale. It is understood that one squadron of Rafale is equivalent to 2.5 squadrons of Russian Su-30 MKI in terms of turnaround and maintenance. The IAF’s capability will further be multiplied with the addition of the S-400 air defence system to the Indian fighting capability
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