Paris, April 11: India will be buying 36 Rafale jets from France. Prime Minister Nardendra Modi confirmed the decision during a joint statement in the company of French President Francois Hollande.
“We have asked the French government to supply 36 Rafale jets in fly-away conditions,” said Modi in Paris.
These frontline fighter jets will boost the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) efforts to strengthen its squadron. Hollande said that France would fast-track the delivery of the jets, which the IAF is desperately looking for.
With this announcement, the much anticipated 126 MMRAC (Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft) process set in motion by the UPA government is virtually shelved.
It also comes as setback to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which expected to play a major role as per the earlier agreement.
Sources said that it would take at least over an year for the first Rafale to land in India, even if France speed-tracks the order. While many would see this as a political decision, the coming days would give a clear picture on the possible follow-up on the much awaited deal.
