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

    When Will Rahul Return, Asks BJP; Soon, Says Sonia

    When Will Rahul Return, Asks BJP; Soon, Says Sonia
    The BJP on Thursday took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi wondering when he will return but Congress chief Sonia Gandhi asserted that he will soon be back among the people.

    When Will Rahul Return, Asks BJP; Soon, Says Sonia

    Giriraj Remarks: Sonia Says Narrow Mindset, BJP For Ending Row

    Giriraj Remarks: Sonia Says Narrow Mindset, BJP For Ending Row
    Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday dismissed union minister Giriraj Singh's "racist" remarks as stemming from a "narrow mindset" even as party members staged protests while the BJP sought the matter to be closed as he had expressed regrets.

    Giriraj Remarks: Sonia Says Narrow Mindset, BJP For Ending Row

    Advani Not To Address BJP Meet?

    Advani Not To Address BJP Meet?
    As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commenced its largest strategy meet on Thursday since coming to power at the Centre, veteran leader L.k. Advani is not likely to address the national executive meet.

    Advani Not To Address BJP Meet?

    300 More Indians To Be Evacuated From Yemen, Two Planeloads Arrive

    300 More Indians To Be Evacuated From Yemen, Two Planeloads Arrive
    Another batch of over 300 Indian nationals will be ferried to safety from Yemen, the government said on Thursday, as 358 Indians who arrived from the strife-torn country in two airplanes early on Thursday expressed relief to be back home and away from the constant bombings.

    300 More Indians To Be Evacuated From Yemen, Two Planeloads Arrive

    Bengal Nun Rape Case: Four Bangladeshi Suspects Held In Ludhiana

    Bengal Nun Rape Case: Four Bangladeshi Suspects Held In Ludhiana
    Four Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in Punjab's industrial city of Ludhiana in connection with the gang rape of an elderly nun in West Bengal last month, police said on Wednesday.

    Bengal Nun Rape Case: Four Bangladeshi Suspects Held In Ludhiana

    'Saffronisation' Imperative To Rectify Distorted Indian History: RSS Chief

    'Saffronisation' Imperative To Rectify Distorted Indian History: RSS Chief
    Condemning the calling of Indian revolutionaries as terrorists, RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat on Wednesday said "saffronisation" was imperative to rectify the country's "distorted history".

    'Saffronisation' Imperative To Rectify Distorted Indian History: RSS Chief