Fifth batch of Rafale aircraft arrived in India after flying almost 8,000 km from France.
IAF chief RKS Bhadauria flagged off four Rafale jets from Merignac-Bordeaux airbase.
Their arrival took the total number of French-origin fighters in IAF inventory to 18.
IAF thanked French and UAE air forces for refuelling support to complete the journey.
Bhadauria, who is on a 5-day visit to France, also went to a Rafale jet training centre.
Arrival of the new batch will pave way for IAF to raise a second squadron of Rafale jets.
The new Rafale squadron will be based at the Hasimara air base in West Bengal.
The first squadron, comprising around 18 aircraft, is based at the Ambala air force station.
