French Defence Minister arriving to sign Rafale jet fighter deal with India

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: India and France are likely to close the deal for direct purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. 

As per The Hindu report, India and France held several rounds of tough negotiations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision for direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets.

The report added that French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian is likely to visit India next week to conclude the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between India and France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, bringing to an end the 17-month-long negotiations.

Mr. Drian is expected in Delhi on September 23 to conclude the IGA, the report said quoting official sources.

Once the draft of the IGA is ready, it would have to go to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for a formal clearance.

The negotiations between France and India for the direct purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets began in April 2014.

The deal is expected to cost about Euro 7.87 billion translating to over Rs 55,000 crore.

The report further added that the Rafale fighter jets for India will be slightly customised as per the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and deliveries will begin in 2019 with sovereign guarantee by French government.