India and France signed the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets
Interview with French Defense Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian in New Delhi
News - Biz@India
September 23, 2016
/ By Virat Garg, Arachika Kapoor, Jordan Golabkan and Surbhi Kapila / New Delhi
French Defense Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, was on Friday in New Delhi to sign with its Indian counterpart, Manohar Parrikar, the long due deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets, for a price of 7.8 billion Euros.The first jet will be delivered to the Indian Air Force in fully flight conditions by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation in 2019, said French Defence minister, at the French Embassy, in the Indian capital.
Minister Le Drian also met Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss topics like anti terrorism cooperation, as both the countries are tightening up their strategic partnership, which includes a growing number of common military exercises, like the recent Shakti 2016, for the Army, and Navy or Air Force cooperation. Future will tell if the Rafale deal will open the doors for more French procurement, with deeper Make in India components.