MS Dhoni hails Rafale induction, says hope Rafale beats service record of Mirage 2000

New Delhi: On the occasion of the formal induction of Rafale in the Indian Air Force (IAF), former India captain MS Dhoni hailed the induction saying the ‘potent bird’s lethality will only increase’ in the hands of the IAF pilots. He also said that he hopes Rafale “beats the service record of the Mirage 2000.”

Dhoni took to Twitter to write, “With the Final Induction Ceremony the world’s best combat proven 4.5Gen fighter plane gets the world’s best fighter pilots. In the hands of our pilots and the mix of different aircrafts with the IAF the potent bird’s lethality will only increase.”

With the Final Induction Ceremony the world’s best combat proven 4.5Gen fighter plane gets the world’s best fighter pilots. In the hands of our pilots and the mix of different aircrafts with the IAF the potent bird’s lethality will only increase.

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) September 10, 2020

In another tweet, Dhoni wrote, “Wishing The Glorious 17 Squadron(Golden Arrows) all the very best and for all of us hope the Rafale beats the service record of the Mirage 2000 but Su30MKI remains my fav and the boys get new target to dogfight with and wait for BVR engagement till their upgrade to Super Sukhoi.”

Wishing The Glorious 17 Squadron(Golden Arrows) all the very best and for all of us hope the Rafale beats the service record of the Mirage 2000 but Su30MKI remains my fav and the boys get new target to dogfight with and wait for BVR engagement till their upgrade to Super Sukhoi

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) September 10, 2020

The induction of one of the most potent combat jets globally will give the country’s air power a strategic edge in the midst of a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh. The fleet, comprising three single seater and two twin seater aircraft, are being inducted into the IAF as part of its Ambala-based No 17 Squadron, also known as the ‘Golden Arrows’.

Water cannon salute was given to the five Rafale aircraft at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base, Ambala during the induction ceremony on Thursday.

#WATCH Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Florence Parly leave for #Ambala to take part in #Rafale induction ceremony pic.twitter.com/bOekgI2Ale

— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly also witnessed the traditional ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’ at the Rafale induction ceremony.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, among other senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, were also present to mark a very important milestone in the history of the IAF.

Dhoni will return to the pitch on September 19 when his team Chennai Super Kings takes on defending champions Mumbai Indians in the opening game of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.