India to purchase French Rafale fighter planes

The first aircraft will arrive in 36 months and the remaining 108 will be built over the next, I would say, eight or nine years. So the induction of the 126 will probably be completed about at 2021 or 2022." Rahul Bedi, a political analyst Recent reports indicate that the Indian Air Force is continuing with its plans to purchase Rafale fighter planes from France, Press TV reports. According to an interview with Aviation International News, Indian Air Force chief Norman Anil Kumar Browne has stated that his country has no plans of changing its decision to award a USD 12-bilion contract to France for the Rafale fighter jets. India has selected the Dassault Aviation's Rafale plane over the Typhoon fighter jet built by Eurofighter, which is a consortium of British group BAE Systems, Europe's EADS, and Italy's Finmeccanica. “There was a statement by the British which said they were going to reduce their price and make another bid for the aircraft. That’s not possible because the decision has been taken to go for the Rafale. I’m quite sure that the eurofighter doesn’t stand a chance,” political analyst Rahul Bedi says. India is expected to receive the aircraft in 36 months. “The first aircraft will arrive in 36 months and the remaining 108 will be built over the next, I would say, eight or nine years. So the induction of the 126 will probably be completed about at 2021 or 2022,” Bedi added. Browne has described the selection of the aircraft on February 13 as a brilliant one, adding that the decision was based on the Rafale’s performance and its suitable price.