India is closer to finally sealing the almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multirole combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 French Rafale fighters, which IAF has identified as a top-priority for the Narendra Modi government.
Defence ministry sources said the final commercial negotiations for the MMRCA project, which IAF considers “critical” to retain its air combat edge against Pakistan and maintain “dissuasive deterrence” against China, can now “be wrapped up in the next three months”.
In the backdrop of IAF making do with just 34 fighter squadrons, when at least 44 are required, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha called on PM Modi on Monday, barely a few days after he briefed finance-cum-defence minister Arun Jaitley. On Tuesday, the IAF chief will again make “a detailed presentation” to Jaitley on the operational preparedness and different modernization projects of his force.
Defence ministry sources said the final commercial negotiations for the MMRCA project, which IAF considers “critical” to retain its air combat edge against Pakistan and maintain “dissuasive deterrence” against China, can now “be wrapped up in the next three months”.
In the backdrop of IAF making do with just 34 fighter squadrons, when at least 44 are required, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha called on PM Modi on Monday, barely a few days after he briefed finance-cum-defence minister Arun Jaitley. On Tuesday, the IAF chief will again make “a detailed presentation” to Jaitley on the operational preparedness and different modernization projects of his force.
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