NEW DELHI (PTI): The Defence Ministry of India has decided to remain firm on having Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) as the lead integrator for producing 108 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCAs) in the country, virtually turning down French firm Dassault Aviation's plea to play a bigger role in the multi-billion dollar project.
The Ministry's stand in this regard has come after Dassault, which has bagged the Indian Air Force (IAF) deal for supplying 126 MMRCAs, asked it to define the role of HAL in the project.
As per the tender, first 18 of the 126 Rafale fighter jets are to be supplied by Dassault from its facilities and the rest 108 are to be license produced and integrated by HAL at its facilities in India.
If any company other than HAL is designated as the integrator, it would be deviation from the tender issued for the project and as per the Defence Procurement Procedure, it will have to be approved by the Defence Acquisition Council, Defence Ministry sources said.
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