08 February 2013

News Story: India Keen To Sign Rafale Deal by Mid-2013, Air Force Chief Says


BANGALORE — India hopes to sign a $12-billion deal to buy Rafale jets from France’s Dassault Aviation by the middle of the year, the country’s air force chief said Feb. 7.

Air Chief Marshall NAK Browne told reporters at India’s air show that what should be the world’s biggest defense deal was “very much on track.”

“If all goes well, we will be in a position to sign the contract before middle of the year,” Browne added.

The project will involve the production of 126 state-of-the-art fighters in France and India over a 15- to 20 year-period, with an option to add an additional 63 jets to the order under a separate contract. Negotiations will continue next week when France’s President Francois Hollande makes his first visit to India since being elected last May.

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