By Franz-Stefan Gady
Dassault Aviation says that it is quickly “moving towards a Rafale contract with India.”
French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation expects a final contract for the purchase of 36 fourth generation multirole fighter jets for the Indian Air Force to be signed within the next four weeks, according to a recent company press release.
“During French President François Hollande’s visit to India, French and Indian government authorities signed an intergovernmental agreement paving the way for the conclusion of a contract for the sale of 36 Rafale fighters to India,” the press release notes.
“Dassault Aviation is very pleased with this progress, and is actively supporting French authorities in their efforts to finalize a complete agreement within the next four weeks.”
As I reported yesterday (See: India to Consider French Fighter Jets for Navy’s Newest Aircraft Carrier), a delegation from the aircraft maker is scheduled to meet with senior officials of the Indian Navy to pitch the naval version of the Dassault Rafale fighter jet on January 29.
Yesterday, French President Francois Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a memorandum of understanding on the inter-governmental agreement detailing the technical aspects of the deal, which have been a major stumbling block in negotiations over the last couple of months.
Read the full story at The Diplomat