India-France sign deal for supply of state-of-the-art Rafale fighter jets

New Delhi: India and France on Friday signed a deal for purchase of 36 high-tech Rafael Fighter jets. Indian Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar and his French Counterpart Jean Yves LeDrian inked the deal.

It is the first major decision towards acquisition of fighter jets in over 20 years.

Main Highlights of the Contracts:

• India will pay Rs. 58000 crore for the purchases of out of which 15 per cent has already been paid in advance.
• Contract includes providing important weapons and spares to India including most advanced, Meteor missile.
• First plane will be delivered within 18 months.
• The deal which was scheduled to be signed this January when the French President was in India did not materialize because of non-negotiation of the price.
• India will get two squadrons of the most advanced fighters. The country, however, is in need of at least 42 squadrons as the MiG-21 fighters have to be grounded because of their poor safety record.

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