U.S. Air Force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Gary Emery
India Cabinet of Ministers approved purchase from France 36 fighters Rafale on Wednesday, AFP reported citing a source in the Defense Ministry of the country. Details of the agreement have not been disclosed because the parties have yet to resolve some of the details. Signing of the contract should take place as early as this Friday. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected to arrive in New Delhi especially for this purpose is.
"The deal was approved in a meeting on Wednesday evening - said one of the sources, who asked to remain anonymous, to the agency. - It will be signed by the defense ministers of India and France on September 23 in New Delhi." Price of the contract, according to sources, could reach € 7.87 Bln.
Recall that the negotiations between France and India for supply of fighters Rafale began in 2012. Then, the Indian government chose French company Dassault Aviation of all possible suppliers. Among the bidders were Eurofighter, Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., Saab AB and MiG concern. However, negotiations between the parties themselves were delayed due to disagreements on the deal’s terms. the
Initially, India was planning to buy 126 fighters, most of them had to be assembled in India, the local state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics. Later, this requirement has been removed by the Indian side, and number of purchased Rafale fell almost three times - up to 36. Finally, the agreement between the two countries was signed in January this year, but the issue of supply prices remained open. It is obvious that the parties managed to reach a compromise on all principal terms of the transaction, which will be announced immediately after signing of the agreement on Friday.
India desperately needs the French fighters, given the hopelessly aging fleet of military aircraft of the country. Given the rapid build-up of China's military power, the Indian government cannot waste time anymore. The first Rafale will be transferred to India only after three years, and the last - in 2023.
source: afp.com
"The deal was approved in a meeting on Wednesday evening - said one of the sources, who asked to remain anonymous, to the agency. - It will be signed by the defense ministers of India and France on September 23 in New Delhi." Price of the contract, according to sources, could reach € 7.87 Bln.
Recall that the negotiations between France and India for supply of fighters Rafale began in 2012. Then, the Indian government chose French company Dassault Aviation of all possible suppliers. Among the bidders were Eurofighter, Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., Saab AB and MiG concern. However, negotiations between the parties themselves were delayed due to disagreements on the deal’s terms. the
Initially, India was planning to buy 126 fighters, most of them had to be assembled in India, the local state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics. Later, this requirement has been removed by the Indian side, and number of purchased Rafale fell almost three times - up to 36. Finally, the agreement between the two countries was signed in January this year, but the issue of supply prices remained open. It is obvious that the parties managed to reach a compromise on all principal terms of the transaction, which will be announced immediately after signing of the agreement on Friday.
India desperately needs the French fighters, given the hopelessly aging fleet of military aircraft of the country. Given the rapid build-up of China's military power, the Indian government cannot waste time anymore. The first Rafale will be transferred to India only after three years, and the last - in 2023.
source: afp.com
