Sukhoi cannot replace Rafale: IAF chief

February 19, 2015 18:39

Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha today ruled out buying of more Russian SU-30s in place of French Rafale jets saying the two aircraft complement each other but do not replace the other.

Amid doubts creeping in that talks with Rafale would breakdown, Raha said that his force has no Plan B and was working on only Plan A.

Highlighting that his force has a number of legacy aircraft and their replacements are necessary, Raha said the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal, for which Rafale has been shortlisted, needs to be inked in the "quickest possible time because drawdown is true".

Defence sources had said that India could buy more Sukhoi 40s in case the Rafale deal does not happen.

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