By Ankit Panda
In Paris, Narendra Modi announced that New Delhi would purchase 36 Rafale fighters in fly-away condition.
Late last week, during his state visit to Paris, France, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an unexpected request to purchase 36 French Dassault Rafale jets in “fly away” (i.e. ready for immediate operational use) condition.
“I asked [French president Francois Hollande] to supply us with 36 Rafale jet fighter planes, the ready-to-fly models,” Modi noted on April 10, at a joint press conference with France’s presidential residence.
Modi’s announcement represents a major advance for India’s medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) upgrade plans and represents a pragmatic approach to what had become a major point of contention for the two countries.
Last week’s announcement leaves the door open for India to purchase additional fighters from Dassault.