India tests new French fighter jets in skies near China border India tests new French fighter jets in skies near China border
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NEW DELHI: India's new French Rafale jets have flown "familiarisation" flights above the border region contested with China where a deadly clash between soldiers from the nuclear-armed neighbours took place in June, an official told AFP on Monday (Sep 21).
The first five planes of a US$9.4 billion order for 36 Rafale aircraft were formally commissioned on Sep 10, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling them a "strong message" to New Delhi's adversaries.
"Rafale fighter jets have been familiarising in our operational areas including Ladakh," a senior air force official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
In mid-June, Chinese and Indian soldiers engaged in violent hand-to-hand fighting in the Ladakh region that left 20 Indian troops dead.
China has also acknowledged suffering casualties but has not revealed any figures.
In another incident in early September, shots were fired for the first time in 45 years on the border with China.
