Indian Rafale fighter jets to fly with BS-series tail numbers honouring ex-IAF chief Dhanoa

In recognition of Air Chief Marshal (retd) BS Dhanoa's unrelenting backing for the Rafale deal, the Indian Air Force has decided to put tail numbers in 30 Rafale jets with ''BS'' initials.

Six Rafale trainer aircraft will carry RB series tail numbers which stand for Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, the current Chief of Air Staff who played a key role as lead negotiator for the mega deal.

The political controversy relating to purchase of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation for the IAF at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore peaked during BS Dhanoa's tenure as chief of the air staff and he had stoutly defended the deal.