New Delhi: Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday stated that the multi-billion dollar deal for purchase of 36 Rafale combat aircraft is in “final stages” of price negotiations.
A new roadmap for the upgradation of the inventory in the Indian Air Force is being prepared with a focus on the Make in India initiative, and any future acquisition will be based on it, he told reporters.
The minister said that issues that came up in talks with the French on the Rafale fighter planes, like 50 per cent offset clause, have “almost been sorted out”. Refusing to put a timeline on when the final contract will be signed, Mr Parrikar said, “It is in the final stages of price negotiations.”
PM Narendra Modi had announced in April 2015, during his visit to France, that India will acquire 36 Rafale planes in fly-away condition.
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