Rafale deal one step closer to completion

September 01, 2016 19:15

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 today 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 tightlipped about the state of the deal but a high-ranking source when asked 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 giant Dassault Aviation.

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

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