Rafale wins India's MMRCA

The government is looking at concluding the much-hyped multi-billion Euro Rafale deal next month, more than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the purchase of 36 fighter jets during his visit to France.

“There is no reason why it should not be concluded in June. Not much is left. It is in the last phase,” Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said.

Rejecting suggestions that there has been a delay in signing the contract for nearly 7.89 Billion Euros to procure the French fighter planes, the Minister said any such process takes at least 6-8 months.

“We started the process only in July last year. After Prime Minister’s statement in April, everything came to us. We asked them (French) for various options. We met them and finally one line was decided,” he said.

Noting that he is travelling for the next 8-10 days, the Minister said he will “see to it” that the deal is “concluded fast”.

“Things have to be placed properly on the table. They (negotiating team) now have to submit a report to me on what has been discussed. After that we have to discuss it in the Cabinet. We will first sign an Inter Government Agreement. All these things take 3-4 weeks,” he said.

The deal was announced by Modi in April last year during his visit to France when he said India would purchase 36 Rafales in a government-to-government contract.

Soon after the announcement, the Defence Ministry scrapped a separate process that was on to purchase 126 Rafales, built by French defence giant Dassault Aviation.

The current deal comes with the clause of delivering 50 per cent offsets, creating business worth at least 3 billion Euros for smaller Indian companies and generating thousands of new jobs in India through the offsets.

In fact, the toughest phase in the negotiations that began in July was to get the French to agree to 50 per cent offsets in the deal.

Initially, Dassault Aviation was willing to agree to reinvest only 30 per cent of the value of its contract in Indian entities to meet the offset obligations.

The French side finally agreed to invest 50 per cent of the value following a phone conversation between Modi and French President Francois Hollande late last year.

The commercial negotiations, as in the pricing of the planes, equipment and other issues, actually began only in mid-January this year.

http://ddinews.gov.in/Business/Business%20-%20Headlines/Pages/Rafaledeal.aspx

Hefty price for 36 fighters dont you think?

Viktor wrote:Hefty price for 36 fighters dont you think?

The price is hefty like hell and secondly 36 fighters do not make sense at all. If we have to induct 100 other fighters to be decided by march 2017 then why to buy these over priced why not other fighter alone in 126 numbers

Indian govt seems to have goofed up big time

France has rejected the offer of a bank guarantee and is now waiting for further communication from India.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – The ongoing Rafale saga seems to be in the doldrums once more, as whatever India has proposed so far it has been disposed of by the French government. France has also rejected a bank guarantee for the deal.

Dassault Aviation initially offered to sell 36 Rafale fighter aircraft for around 10.5 billion euros but the Indian government has asked for a 30 percent discount. The issue over the price has so far proved to be a sticking point in the deal.

Now in a fresh move to clear the stalled Rafale deal, the French government has offered a new price and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has written a letter to Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar regarding the deal. According to the defense ministry sources, France has now offered to sell 36 fighters for 7.8 billion euros which is around 7 percent less than the original price offered by Dassault Aviation.

The French-based multinational Thales Group, famous for its electronics, shows 3.3% growth, even though the general France’s index has been down the whole day.

But according to Defense Ministry sources, the Indian government has found the latest offer quite different from the earlier one as it contained product support only for five years instead of ten years envisaged in the earlier agreement. Additionally, the latest offer also ignores the cost of setting up infrastructure at two airbases for two Rafale squadrons.

According to the Defense Ministry sources, the Indian government considers it has nothing to gain from the latest French offer, where price has been slashed at the cost of product support which is an essential component of the Rafale deal.


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160525/1040217814/india-france-rafale.html#ixzz4A9JkF9WI

Ah, the good old change the goalposts sales strategy. If you let us cut our costs of course we will cut the price (and maybe increase our profit/reduce our risk at the same time )

If the French push this too hard they run the risk of a very, very financially attractive US Super Hornet deal being pushed really hard stealing the order. Or even, horror horror, a Mig-35 if the IAF really want a smaller single seat plane as opposed to more Su-30s.

Its time to call this cursed and costly deal now, in any case 36 fighters are not going to make any difference. so its better to induct single vendor plane ins number required i.e 126-150 be its Russian or amercians

I've said all that i could say already, if India want's to cripple it's own national security because of some sick obsession with French aircraft, then that's there business.

AlfaT8 wrote:I've said all that i could say already, if India want's to cripple it's own national security because of some sick obsession with French aircraft, then that's there business.

Thats precisely what they are doing it, i feel govt understands this deal is gone but want to blame french for it, thats why a waiting game endlessly and IAF is suffering because of these criminal delays now. The obsession of make in india is getting too high on the mind of  govt it cant happen in just 3-5 yrs it will gradually happe with the growing up and maturing of of local industry. but indian govt seems to have messed it up more then where the last govt left ....my take

have some sq of say 3-4 of su 35 fast and spend money on tejas, AMCA and FGFA. the americans are going to harm you big time in future as india is not nato ally or Israel and indian n americans interests are going to clash for sure in future certainly on issue of Russia

This Rafale saga is becoming tragicomical. In one way I understand France and Dassault in this story. They watched quite well the story with Su-30MKI, where India was experimenting with foreign components inside Russian made jet, Indian quality in license production and in maintenance (bad quality fuel and lubricants, stealing engine blades, etc) and than for all faults blaming Russia and destroying Sukhoi reputation, although other users don't have any problems with Su-30 jets. This is why France doesn't want to give any guaranty for Rafale made in India and give higher price for Rafale because India want to experiment with Rafales with foreign components (Israeli), when original French Rafale works just fine.

Sooner or later India will have to get to their mind or they will be without any jets. They will have to decide what they want. Domestic jets or imported jets. If India want domestic jet, than India have to develop it by themselves. If they want imported jets, than leave it as producer developed it and maintain them as producer wrote on their maintenance documents.

Pinto wrote:

Thats precisely what they are doing it, i feel govt understands this deal is gone but want to blame french for it, thats why a waiting game endlessly and IAF is suffering because of these criminal delays now. The obsession of make in india is getting too high on the mind of  govt it cant happen in just 3-5 yrs it will gradually happe with the growing up and maturing of of local industry. but indian govt seems to have messed it up more then where the last govt left ....my take

have some sq of say 3-4 of su 35 fast and spend money on tejas, AMCA and FGFA. the americans are going to harm you big time in future as india is not nato ally or Israel and indian n americans interests are going to clash for sure in future certainly on issue of Russia

Parrikar wanted it gone. But it will not die until DRDO finishes Tejas. He wants to mass produce them under Make in India to meet Modi's poltical goals. Modi knows it won't happen so they keep kicking the ball until they have no choice but to choose an aircraft. IAF commanders chose Rafale before MMRCA so it is a forgone conclusion. It is just a matter of admitting defeat from failed DRDO engineers.

Vladimir79 wrote:

Pinto wrote:

Thats precisely what they are doing it, i feel govt understands this deal is gone but want to blame french for it, thats why a waiting game endlessly and IAF is suffering because of these criminal delays now. The obsession of make in india is getting too high on the mind of  govt it cant happen in just 3-5 yrs it will gradually happe with the growing up and maturing of of local industry. but indian govt seems to have messed it up more then where the last govt left ....my take

have some sq of say 3-4 of su 35 fast and spend money on tejas, AMCA and FGFA. the americans are going to harm you big time in future as india is not nato ally or Israel and indian n americans interests are going to clash for sure in future certainly on issue of Russia

Parrikar wanted it gone.  But it will not die until DRDO finishes Tejas.  He wants to mass produce them under Make in India to meet Modi's poltical goals.  Modi knows it won't happen so they keep kicking the ball until they have no choice but to choose an aircraft.  IAF commanders chose Rafale before MMRCA so it is a forgone conclusion.  It is just a matter of admitting defeat from failed DRDO engineers.  

well sir the Tejas is point defense fighter in light category meant to replace MIG 21 alone so parikkar showing it as replacement of mMRCA is foolish idea. This govt in trying to look diffrent from the past govt has further messed up the many defense deals. the make in india is welcome idea but it ownt happen overnight it might take 10-20 for indian industry to migrate to that level

personal reputation has been put on stake and IAF is facing shortage of fighters in plenty and no solution seems to be on sight except copsying up to US by this govt

As India and France look at closing the multi-billion Euro deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets soon, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will meet his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian in Singapore this week.

Parrikar will be travelling to Singapore on June 2 to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue from June 2

“Both Indian and French Defence Ministers will meet on June 3. Rafale among others will be discussed,” a defence source said.

The issues like consensus on actions to be taken in case of a material breach, stringent liability clause and guarantee by French side are likely to be discussed.

Parrikar had last week said the government is looking at concluding the much-hyped Rafale deal next month, more than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the purchase of 36 fighter jets during his visit to France.

The deal was announced by Modi in April last year during his visit to France when he said India would purchase 36 Rafales in a government-to-government contract.

Soon after the announcement, the Defence Ministry scrapped a separate process that was on to purchase 126 Rafales, built by French defence giant Dassault Aviation.

It is expected that the deal would work out to be about 7.8 Billion Euros including the missiles and other support system.

The Shangri-La Dialogue is an inter-governmental security forum held annually by an independent think-tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and is attended by defence ministers and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific countries.

Last year, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had attended the dialogue along with German and the French Defence Ministers among others.
Subjects to be debated in this year’s dialogue include how to meet Asia’s complex security challenges, how to manage military competition in Asia and how to make defence policy in uncertain times.

http://www.financialexpress.com/article/india-news/rafale-fighter-deal-manohar-parrikar-to-meet-french-counterpart-in-singapore/269465/

Pinto wrote:

well sir the Tejas is point defense fighter in light category meant to replace MIG 21 alone so parikkar showing it as replacement of mMRCA is foolish idea. This govt in trying to look diffrent from the past govt has further messed up the many defense deals. the make in india is welcome idea but it ownt happen overnight it might take 10-20 for indian industry to migrate to that level

personal reputation has been put on stake and IAF is facing shortage of fighters in plenty and no solution seems to be on sight except copsying up to US by this govt

Parrikar literally said the Tejas was as capable as the Rafale which makes him a nationalist fanboi of the tenth degree. All he cares about is 1) Make in India and 2) Squadron Numbers. He doesn't appreciate the interdiction capabilities the Rafale brings to the table and is not currently found in the IAF. If IAF goes to war with China and MKI and Tejas is all you have, you wont last long. FGFA could fill the role but that isn't happening long before a Rafale deal.

India acquires Litening targeting pod

Rafael will supply 164 examples of its Litening targeting pod to the Indian air force, for use on four types of combat aircraft including New Delhi’s Sukhoi Su-30 fighters. wrote:

Guy Oren, director of Rafael's electro-optical systems unit, says the pods will be delivered in the next couple of years.

An advanced version of the Litening 4 – the Litening 4 I – will be supplied. The improved system has been equipped with upgraded infrared cameras and a charge-coupled device colour camera to help identify targets on the ground, particularly dense areas, Rafael says.

The company adds that the new version doubles up as a surveillance and reconnaissance system in addition to being a targeting pod.

In February it was announced that the planned Litening acquisition would fall under a larger $500 million deal between India and Israel, which would also see the Rafael Spice 250 precision-guided bomb provided to New Delhi.

Since India is not interested in su 35 because when su30 mki upgraded to super sukhois, It will have same qualities, the present DM is intrested in pak-fa russian version as a intermim measure between 65-100 from 2020 onwards

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-seeks-134-million-euro-waiver-from-france-for-rafale-deal/story-DgoAO9sZW5g44rSkl0t8OO.html


HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi|
Updated: Aug 20, 2016 00:26 IST


As the NDA government inches toward closing the multi-billion euro Rafale fighter deal, New Delhi has sought a waiver from a key provision that requires India to shell out an advance guarantee.

If France accepts the Indian demand, it will result in a saving of more than euro 134 million, South Block sources said on Friday.

The deal for 36 Rafale warplanes is expected to be worth around euro 7.3 billion.

The sources said the deal was stuck as India had put its foot down on doing away with the advance guarantee clause as it was a government-to-government sale. The sources said defence minister Manohar Parrikar has conveyed the Indian position on the issue to French authorities through diplomatic channels on Thursday. It is learnt all other issues have been resolved.

Last week, Parrikar informed Lok Sabha that the team negotiating the deal to buy the French fighters, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, had submitted its final report to the government.

A favourable response from France to the Indian proposal could see the deal being sent to finance ministry in the coming days, the sources confirmed. Finance ministry clearance will pave the way for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The deal is crucial for the Indian Air Force which is grappling with a significant drawdown of its fighter fleet. The IAF has a 33 fighter squadrons – each consisting of 18 fighter planes, but it requires 45 combat units to counter a combined threat from China and Pakistan. The IAF admits it does not have sufficient number of warplanes to fight a two-front war.

The plan was to buy 126 fighter planes but the Centre scrapped that deal, opting to buy 36 jets in fly-away condition from France. The new deal was announced by Modi during a visit to Paris last yea

30 plane for $8bn too much, why not 65(3 and half squardons) SU35 for same price

in which area rafale is superior to SU35, if some can throw light on it ?

None really.  It was proclaimed that Rafale had better sensor fusion but that isn't really known.  Also, it is stated Rafale was supposed to get AESA radar but I do not think it received any and still uses the older radar (Newer one can see roughly 200km+ while Irbis-E can see upwards to 400km).  Su-35S on the other hand has far more powerful radar, AESA L band modules on its wings, OLS-35 is very powerful IRST system.  I think the engines on the Rafale though are far more efficient but that I am not entirely sure about. It has a LO design to it as well, but Su-35S also incorporated radar cross section reducing technology with using more composite materials as an example.

sepheronx wrote:None really.  It was proclaimed that Rafale had better sensor fusion but that isn't really known.  Also, it is stated Rafale was supposed to get AESA radar but I do not think it received any and still uses the older radar (Newer one can see roughly 200km+ while Irbis-E can see upwards to 400km).  Su-35S on the other hand has far more powerful radar, AESA L band modules on its wings, OLS-35 is very powerful IRST system.  I think the engines on the Rafale though are far more efficient but that I am not entirely sure about.  It has a LO design to it as well, but Su-35S also incorporated radar cross section reducing technology with using more composite materials as an example.

hmm and what about the terran mapping ground attacks capabilities of su 35, some media reports say Rafale is superior in this ?

Radar range of 400 km makes su35 a beast in sky an sure shot hunter

7-8b$ for Rafales - 36 Nos

8 b$ approx for upgrades of su30mki to super sukhoi - 190 Nos to be upgraded in firs phase

dont know what are the war doctrines of IAF for all this xostly deals

Pinto wrote:30 plane for $8bn too much, why not 65(3 and half squardons) SU35 for same price

in which area rafale is superior to SU35, if some can throw light on it ?

Size?

That's all i got, and can you double check that $8bn price tag, because if i recall France didn't agree to that.

Rafale deal closer to a decision, sent to PMO for final review
PTI | Sep 1, 2016, 07.23 PM IST
HIGHLIGHTS
Defence ministry has cleared the final report on purchase of 36 Rafale jets
The report is now sent to the PM for his final review and assent
French sources have said they are expecting a positive development this month



NEW DELHI: The multi-billion Euro deal for 36 Rafales moved a step closer to a decision as the file on the fighter jets has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office for final review and clearance.

Defence sources said on Thursday the final report submitted by a team negotiating the much-anticipated Rafale deal with France has been cleared by the defence ministry.

While officials remained tight-lipped about the state of the deal, a high-ranking source when asked by PTI if it has been moved for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security, said, "I would not say no".

French sources have said they are expecting a positive development this month.

During his visit to France in April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India would purchase 36 Rafale jets in a government-to-government contract.

Soon after the announcement, the defence ministry scrapped a separate process that was on to purchase 126 Rafale fighter planes, built by French defence giantDassault Aviation.

The deal is expected to be worth around 7.89 billion Euros for the 36 fighter jets in fly away conditions.

The weapon systems, part of the deal, will also include the new-age, beyond visual range missile, Meteor, and Israeli helmet mounted display.

The price of the deal was brought down from nearly 10 billion Euros, as sought initially, due to various reasons, including tough negotiation by India, the discount offered by the French government and reworking of some of the criteria.

It is not clear if the price has been brought down further, but India was seeking more.

The new deal comes with the clause of delivering 50 per cent offsets, creating business worth at least 3 billion Euros for smaller Indian companies and generating thousands of jobs in India through offsets.

The commercial negotiations on the pricing of the planes, equipment and other issues began in mid-January this year.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rafale-deal-closer-to-a-decision-sent-to-PMO-for-final-review/articleshow/53964866.cms

India has to choose among the F-18, Rafale, Eurofighter and Gripen to be manufactured locally to meet the existing requirements of the Indian Air Force.

India has left everyone guessing in regards to who it will choose to manufacture a new fleet of combat aircraft for its air force. Though it is evident that the government is in talks with Sweden’s SAAB, France’s Dassault Aviation, and Boeing and Lockheed Martin of the US, it has not given any indications as to which of the contenders would be bagging the Contract.India's Deal for 36 Dassault Rafale Stealth Fighter Jets Reaches Final Phase

During Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent visit to the US, Boeing and Lockheed Martin made official proposals to manufacture F/A-18 and F-16 respectively under the ‘Make in India’ campaign, triggering speculations in favor of the US. But Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s upcoming visit to Linkoping of Sweden to inspect the production facility of SAAB where Gripen fighter jets are produced indicates that India is equally interested in Gripen.

According to Defense Ministry sources, Parrikar is likely to visit Sweden this month. Earlier in June this year, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha inspected the SAAB production facility in Linkoping.

Tejas MK1A Aircraft SAAB has offered to develop, manufacture and undertake the final assembly of its Gripen E fighter jet in India with actual Transfer of Technology under the Make in India project. This would be a big relief for SAAB as India has not signed any major deal with the Swedish firm after a political storm triggered by allegations of corruption in the purchase of Bofors howitzers in 1987.

Recently, India rejected SAAB’s offer to set up a production line under 'Make in India' and to supply the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas MK1A.

In an interview to All India Radio in May this year, Manohar Parrikar said, “India will select a good fighter by the end of this financial year to be made domestically. It is not yet decided which aircraft it would be. It may be F-18, Rafale, Eurofighter or Gripen. The decision in this regard will be taken in this financial year.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/military/20160909/1045139513/india-aircraft-project.html

NEW DELHI: A high level delegation comprised of all three French defence firms, involved in the 36 Rafale fighter jet deal with Indian Air Force, have been camping in Capital to straighten the last minutes differences, if any, according to a top source in the government. After the Defence ministry approving the recommendations of the committee negotiating the deal for the last 16 months the file has now reached the Prime Minister’s Office for final vetting.

According to sources, privy to the development, representatives of Dassault aviation, MBDA and Thales are in talks with the government officials to give a much needed push for the deal. According to the contract, Dassault aviations, manufacturers the aircraft, MBDA provides weapons system package and Thales is giving avionics to the fighter jet.

“Representatives all three involved defence firms are in talks to take swift decision on any last minute doubt. Certainly, the deal is making a headway and should be done in a week’s time,”said a defence source.

It is believed that the PMO is making a strong push to conclude the deal, as it is already delayed. And the final report submitted by a team of negotiating the Rafale deal was approved by the highest acquisition body headed by the Defence minister Manohar Parrikar in its last meeting in August.

During his visit to France in April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India would purchase 36 Rafale jets in a government-to-government contract.

Soon after the announcement, the defence ministry scrapped a separate process that was on to purchase 126 Rafale fighter planes, built by French defence giant Dassault Aviation.

The deal is expected to be worth around 7.89 billion Euros for the 36 fighter jets in fly away conditions.

The weapon systems, part of the deal, will also include the new age beyond visual range missile Meteor and Israeli helmet mounted display.

The price of the deal was brought down from nearly 10 billion Euros, as sought initially, due to various reasons, including tough negotiation by India, the discount offered by the French government and reworking of some of the criteria. It is not clear if the price has been brought down further but India was seeking more.

The new deal comes with the clause of delivering 50 per cent offsets, creating business worth at least 3 billion Euros for smaller Indian companies and generating thousands of jobs in India through offsets.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Rafale-all-set-to-fly-High-level-delegation-to-straighten-last-minutes-differences/2016/09/11/article3618189.ece

Shishir Gupta, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Updated: Sep 12, 2016 00:38 IST

Since Modi ordered 36 ready-to-fly fighters from France in April 2015, both the defence ministry and Dassault Aviation officials have been involved in hectic negotiations. (AP File Photo )

Sixteen months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is set to approve on Monday the closure of negotiations between the defence ministry and French manufacturer Dassault Aviation. The settled price for the twin-engined multi-role fighter is about 7.8 billion Euros with deliveries from 2019 and annual inflation capped at 3.5%.

Top sources told Hindustan Times that the defence ministry has sent the finalised deal to the CCS after making requisite changes to its offset section. The deal involves the manufacturer outsourcing 50% of the total amount of the deal from India.

“The cost of 36 fighters will be around Rs 7000-8,000 crore lower than that what was being offered to the previous UPA regime in the now cancelled contract for multi-role medium range combat aircraft (MMRCA). Rafale had been shortlisted as the lowest bidder in the MMRCA tender,” said a senior official.

Read | Ready to conclude Rafale deal, ball in India’s court: Dassault Aviation

Since Modi ordered 36 ready-to-fly fighters from France in April 2015, both the defence ministry and Dassault Aviation officials have been involved in hectic negotiations with defence minister Manohar Parrikar insistent that the cost should be 10-20% less than what was being offered to UPA regime but without compromising on the capabilities of the aircraft.

Equipped with a state-of-the-art AESA radar that allows for multiple targeting beyond visual range, the nuclear capable jet will the frontline jet for Indian Air Force (IAF) with Russian Su-30 MKI forming the backbone. Rafale fighters can be armed with the latest air-to-air, air-to-ground, as well as nuclear armament.

The 36 aircraft with a full armament complement were offered at a maximum price of 11.6 billion euros with annual inflation pegged at 5%. This has been brought down to 7.8 billion euros with maximum inflation pegged at 3.5.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cabinet-committee-set-to-okay-deal-for-36-rafale-fighter-aircraft/story-yrdz5RCUfp2vtenITwUzSO.html

NEW DELHI: The much-anticipated contract for 36 Rafale fighter jets is likely to be sealed soon as both the countries have finalized the details for the deal, which will cost about Euro 7.87 billion.

Government sources said the cost, offsets and service details have been finalized and the work is being done on the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the deal.

A "working team" from France is already in town with their own translators and are going through the contract, running into several thousand pages, with their Indian counterparts.

The sources said that once the IGA is firmed up, the document will go back to the Cabinet Committee on Security for a final clearance.
They said that India has been able to save over Euro 590 million+ through tough price negotiations which began in January this year.

Though the deal could have been firmed up earlier, issues like pricing and offsets took time as India wanted a better contract.
Following intervention by Prime Minister Modi late last year, France agreed for a 50 per cent offset clause.

This means creating business worth at least three billion Euros for Indian companies, both big and small, and generating thousands of jobs in India through offsets.

A high-level delegation from France could come down for the formal signing of the contract, French sources said.

The delivery for the fighter aircraft is expected to begin in 2019, with an annual inflation capped at 3.5 per cent.

The weapon systems, part of the deal, will also include the new-age, beyond visual range missile 'Meteor', and Israeli helmet mounted display.

Last month, a report submitted by the team negotiating the Rafale deal with France was cleared by the defence ministry. The file was then sent to the Prime Minister's Office for review and clearance.

The work on the IGA started after that, sources said.

During his visit to France in April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India would purchase 36 Rafale jets in a government-to-government contract.

Soon after the announcement, the defence ministry scrapped a separate process that was on to purchase 126 Rafale fighter planes, built by French defence giant Dassault Aviation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rafale-deal-All-details-fixed-agreement-being-finalized/articleshow/54329425.cms?