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French & Indian Defense Ministers finally sign deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets.
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World Aviation Defense & Security News - France & India
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French & Indian Defense Ministers finally sign deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets
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The long-awaited deal between India and France for 36 Rafale fighter aircraft has been finally inked on Friday Sept. 23 between defence minister Manohar Parikkar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian. New Delhi on Wednesday cleared the deal amid indications that the French government waived off the advance guarantee, allowing India to save $150 million.
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 The Indian defence minister Manohar Parikkar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian signed today the long-awaited $8.8 bn deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets(Credit: Jean-Yves Le Drian/Twitter) |
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The $8.8 billion deal is crucial for the Indian Air Force that is grappling with a drawdown of its fighter fleet. Defense officials feel the purchase of Rafale jets would bolster the country's military image in the region and help modernize Indian military's ageing fleet of combat aircrafts.
The Indian government signed an memorandum of understanding in January this year with the French government for the purchase of the aircrafts. The procurement of Rafale jets was first initiated in 2012. Indian government then intended to buy 126 fighter jets. However, the purchase faced delays and hurdles during the past four years over the cost and assembly of the planes in India. The procurement was finally scaled down to 36 aircrafts. Under the new deal, the Rafales will be built in France and shipped to India, ready for operation. |
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 A Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft(Credit: Dassault Aviation) |
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