The deal includes 36 aircraft, weapons, spares, support and maintenance. India and France on Friday concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets to cost the nation Euro 7.87 billion. India and France held several rounds of tough negotiations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision for direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets in fly away condition in April 2014. Under the terms of the contract, France has to ensure that 75 percent of the fleet i.e. While Rafale deal has seen a closure, the government is already scouting for another fighter het to be built in India under technology transfer, virtually reopening the original MMRCA contest.

Source: The Hindu September 23, 2016 07:38 UTC