The three Rafale fighter jets from India will go to France to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 14.The Guest of Honour for this year’s National Day Parade in France will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The anniversary of the “strategic partnership” between France and India is being commemorated by Modi’s visit.Anglo-French Jaguar fighter jets, which were added to the Indian fleet in the 1980s, were originally scheduled to participate in the display.The last time India participated in the parade was in 2009, when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went along with a military force from India.

Francois Hollande, Modi’s former French counterpart, attended India’s Republic Day celebration in 2016.

What is Bastille Day?

The nation of France observes Bastille Day on July 14. The action that marked a turning point in the French Revolution—the storming of the Bastille armoury, castle, and political prison—took place on this day in 1789.

The nation of France observes the day with cultural performances, a national fireworks display, and a customary military march down the Champs Elysees, a storied avenue in Paris.

What is Rafale?

In a government-to-government contract in 2016, India purchased two squadrons of the French twin-engine, multipurpose fighter aircraft known as Rafale.

All 36 Rafale aircraft built at Dassault Aviation’s Bordeaux-Mérignac production site have been delivered to India.

The aircraft are based in the Air Force’s facilities at Hasimara, West Bengal, and Ambala, Punjab.

The Rafales are the most effective 4.5 generation fighters in the IAF’s arsenal. The Rafale is a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of roles, including air superiority, aerial surveillance, ground support, in-depth strikes, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrent. The aircraft are described as “omnirole” combatants.