India, France Strike Rafale Deal

After long dilly-dallying, India signed a contract with France on Friday for acquiring 36 Rafale fighter jets. Under the agreement, French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation SA is likely to deliver those fighter jets between 36 and 66 months from the date (September 23) the contract is signed in New Delhi.

The Indian Defence Ministry has confirmed the news, saying in a statement that senior officials of the two countries signed the deal in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian.

On the occasion, the Indian defence minister said that the Narendra Modi administration had finalised the details for the EUR 7.878 billion deal with the French government last week. "This is an achievement which will give the Indian Air Force (IAF) the required potency in terms of penetration and capability," added Parrikar.