French wings for IAF, 10.4 Bn $ deal with Rafale for fighter jets
Gujaratglobal News Network, New Delhi
In the largest ever defecen deal in the history of the country, India selected the French Fighter Rafale manufactured by Dassault Aviation over the Eurofighter Typhoon in a over 10 billion dollar contract for the supply of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).
Sources in the Defence Ministry said Rafale was selected as it was the Lowest Bidder (L1). The two aircraft, French Fighter Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, were chosen from a list of six, including U.S. Boeing (F/A18) and Lockheed Martin (F-16), Russian MiG-35 and Swedish Saab (Gripen), in April last year.
The estimated worth of the deal is 10.44 Billions US dollars. The Rafale fighter will replace the old MiG-21 and is likely to get inducted from 2014-15.
The twin-engined aircraft is one of the most advanced fighters in the world and has proven mettle in Libya, Afghanistan It has a top speed of 2,100 KM/and a range over 3,700 km. The first batch of aircraft likely to be delivered 24-36 months once the deal is signed. India will get the first 18 aircraft in fly-away condition and then HAL will build rest under transfer of technology.
Initally the budget was of Rs 42,000 crore for the deal to purchase 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), but now the deal will now cost Rs 76,000 crore upward, making it the largest international defence deal by value in recent years.
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