Air Force Of Arab Nation UAE To Do Mid-Air Refueling Of India’s Three New Rafale Jets Flying From France

Indicating the growing ties between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Air Force of UAE will handle the mid-air refueling of India’s three Rafale fighter jets flying into the Indian Air Force station at Ambala from France, reports Hindustan Times.

While the first five Rafale fighters which flew non-stop to India from France on 29 July 2020 were refueled by a French MRTT, this time the three fighter jets will be refueled by the UAE air force’s Airbus multi-role transport tanker.

Compared to the state of affairs in 1999 when UAE hadn’t allowed the Indian Ambassador to enter the airbase where Indian Airlines’ hijacked plane had refueled, both countries have forged a very close relationship with PM Modi leading the initiative since 2014.

Also India and UAE plan to further the multi-faceted security ties between them by conducting trilateral military exercises along with France.

Earlier, UAE had expressed its interest in purchasing India's Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.

India is looking at strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in keeping with its aim at becoming the dominant power in the Indian Ocean as well as to build markets for its weapons.