Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will fly a sortie on a Rafaleaircraft in France on October 8, defence sources told  today.

"Rajnath Singh will fly a sortie on a Rafale aircraft when he formally receives the first aircraft in France on October 8. He will fly the sortie on a two-seater trainer aircraft," a senior defence ministry official said.

The Defence Minister will be flying to France to receive the first of the 36 Rafale aircraft, as per a contract which India has entered into with the fighter jet's manufacturer Dassault Aviation. The date has been chosen for formally receiving the aircraft because Dussehra this year falls on October 8. Air Force Day in India is also observed on October 8.

In September, Rajnath Singh had flown a 30-minute sortie ona Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in Bengaluru. He had described theexperience as thrilling and had also said on the occasion that India is readyto export the LCA.