Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

India To Buy 36 Rafale Jets In Fly-away Condition: Modi

Darpan News Desk IANS, 10 Apr, 2015 11:56 AM
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India will buy 36 Rafale jets from France in fly-away condition soon.
     
    The decision is among the several agreements reached between the two countries after his meeting with French President Francois Hollande here. 
     
    "I have spoken to President Hollande about buying 36 Rafale jets in fly-away condition," the prime minister said while addressing the media jointly with the French president. 
     
    Modi also said defence cooperation with France has been enhanced and the two countries would work together in manufacturing defence equipment and developing technology.
     
    "President Hollande has extended full cooperation for our 'Make In India' campaign in the defence sector which is not just a programme but an ambition we have. India and France will together make defence equipment and also develop technology," Modi said. 
     
    The Indian prime minister added that he had a detailed talk with French defence companies. 
     
    "Today we have taken strategic cooperation with France to a new level," Modi said in an address in Hindi. 
     
    The Indian Air Force (IAF) had shortlisted Rafale for induction into its frontline combat fleet, replacing the ageing Soviet-era MiG-21 squadron but the deal did not materialise for long.
     
    The original deal, with an estimated cost of $20 billion, was for delivery of 126 fighters, including 18 off-the-shelf by Dassault, and 108 to be manufactured in India under licensed production by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) over time, with 50 percent offset obligations to benefit the domestic aerospace industry.
     
    The IAF opted for the twin-engined Rafale in January 2012 over Eurofighter Typhoon of the European consortium EADS Cassidian after outsmarting F-16 of American Lockheed Martin, F/A-18 of Boeing, MiG-35 of Russian United Aircraft Corp and Swedish SAAB's Gripen in a global competitive bid floated in August 2007.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Late Night DJs No Music To Ears Of Punjab's Villagers

    Late Night DJs No Music To Ears Of Punjab's Villagers
    The middle of the night is no time for anyone to keep awake but residents of rural areas near cities and towns in Punjab are being forced to do just that with blaring DJ-led music from 'marriage palaces' (marquees) leaving them sleepless.

    Late Night DJs No Music To Ears Of Punjab's Villagers

    Delhi Road Rage: Three More Arrested

    Delhi Road Rage: Three More Arrested
    Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested three more people, accused of beating to death a 38-year-old motorcyclist over yielding space to their car during a traffic jam in the capital. Another accused had been arrested on Monday, while the fifth accused is on the run.

    Delhi Road Rage: Three More Arrested

    Controversial Comments Cost Ukrainian Pianist Gig With Toronto Symphony Orchestra

    Controversial Comments Cost Ukrainian Pianist Gig With Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    TORONTO — Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa will not perform with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra this week because of what the TSO calls "provocative comments."

    Controversial Comments Cost Ukrainian Pianist Gig With Toronto Symphony Orchestra

    Beef Ban Way To Deflect Attention From Core Issues: Congress

    Beef Ban Way To Deflect Attention From Core Issues: Congress
    The Congress on Tuesday attacked the BJP and its government in Maharashtra for deflecting attention from their "malgovernance" by raking up issues like the recent ban on beef in the state.

    Beef Ban Way To Deflect Attention From Core Issues: Congress

    Haryana Parks To Have Gyms

    Haryana Parks To Have Gyms
    Big parks in all districts across Haryana will have gymnasiums in open spaces, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Monday.

    Haryana Parks To Have Gyms

    Punjab Bans Wheat Harvesting At Night, Morning

    Punjab Bans Wheat Harvesting At Night, Morning
    The Punjab government on Monday announced a ban on harvesting of the wheat (Rabi) crop with combine harvesters from evening to morning, a senior officer said here.

    Punjab Bans Wheat Harvesting At Night, Morning