Rafale deal with India ‘close to conclusion’
The long-delayed Rafale fighter jet deal between France and India could finally get sealed. According to a spokesperson of the Indian defence ministry, the negotiations to acquire 36 fighter jets from France are close to conclusion.
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An Indian ministerial source said that the price agreed for the purchase of aircraft built by French Dassault amounts to about 8 billion euros.
The two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of the 36 aircrafts during French President Francois Hollande’s visit to India in January.
The purchase of the Rafale jets has faced stumbling blocks over the price tag since 2012 when India entered into exclusive negotiations with France on the purchase of 126 jets.
However, the number was later scaled down following tortuous negotiations over cost and assembly of the planes in India.
“The negotiations are in the final stages but nothing has been concluded so far," an Indian defence official said.
The head of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, said Wednesday he hoped a final agreement would be reached in the coming days.
“I have high hopes that the contract will be signed soon,” he told France's Radio Classique.
- with AFP
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