India will now negotiate direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets from France

NEW DELHI: India will now negotiate direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets from France through a government-to-government deal worth around $4 billion, without any “Make in India” or technology transfer component, to meet IAF’s urgent “critical operational necessity” for new fighters.

After Modi held extensive talks with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Friday, it was announced that fresh commercial negotiations will now be held for the direct acquisition of two Rafale squadrons (each has 18 jets) in “flyaway” condition.

“France has agreed to fast-track the deliveries and give us better terms for the outright purchase and longer maintenance support for the jets. Finding the money for this contract should not be a problem since it will have to be paid in instalments linked to deliveries,” said a source.

The “politico-strategic” decision of negotiating the direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets that was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just before he left for Paris on Thursday afternoon, will lead to a “modification” of the original deadlocked $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project for 126 fighters, said sources.

Down to just 34 fighter squadrons when at least 44 are required to be comfortable against China and Pakistan, IAF can now hope to get 36 new fighters soon to arrest its fast-eroding air combat power. The defence procurement procedure allows such acquisitions on a single-vendor basis due to “strategic considerations”, both to achieve major diplomatic, political and economic benefits” as well as meet critical operational military necessity.

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Source:Timesofindia

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