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Rafale warriors of Ambala: 100 days after Operation Sindoor precision strikes

Rafale warriors of Ambala: 100 days after Operation Sindoor precision strikes

India Today2 days ago
A hundred days after Operation Sindoor, India Today gained exclusive access to the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana — home to the Golden Arrows squadron of Rafale fighter jets that played a decisive role in the recent military conflict with Pakistan.On May 7, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, the Indian Air Force launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor. From Ambala's runway, Rafales crossed into hostile skies, destroying nine terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and killing over 100 terrorists.advertisementIn subsequent missions, they targeted more than a dozen Pakistani air bases, marking the first time in combat history such coordinated long-range strikes were carried out by the Air Force.
Commanding Officer Amit Ghiyani told India Today, "Rafale is an ultra advanced weapon platform — a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft. It fulfilled all the responsibilities it was assigned with during Operation Sindoor. One should not doubt the aircraft's capabilities. It is fully equipped to take on jets like J-10 or J-35".The Rafale, procured from France under a 2016 deal, joined service in 2019 and became fully operational in India by 2020.The country now has two complete squadrons. Described as a 4.5-generation, twin-engine, omni-role fighter, it can switch between air-to-air combat, ground strikes, and reconnaissance in a single mission.Key features include the Meteor missile, capable of engaging targets beyond 150 km; the SCALP cruise missile for precision strikes over 300 km away; and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite for jamming, threat detection, and self-protection.With a top speed of Mach 1.8, a combat radius exceeding 1,000 km, and the ability to operate in any weather, the Rafale offers unmatched flexibility.India Today learnt that these capabilities were put to full use during Operation Sindoor. From targeting fortified terror camps to striking heavily defended air bases, the Rafales demonstrated accuracy and survivability in hostile conditions.The Thales targeting pod ensured pinpoint strikes even in poor visibility, while aerial refuelling extended mission range.For Ambala's Golden Arrows, the success of Operation Sindoor is not just a military achievement but a clear signal of India's enhanced strike capabilities.Hundred days later, the mission's impact continues to shape India's airpower edge — with the Rafale firmly established as the Air Force's most potent combat asset.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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  • Time of India

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