India's Rafale jet fighter deal: developments, updates, etc

[Stratofreighter]

Published: 28th Jul 2013 08:50:55 AM

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian came to Delhi, charmed his counterpart A K Antony, but could not conquer.

After three days in India, when he held formal talks with the Indian defence ministry top brass and also lectured the Indian military think-tank IDSA, Le Drian returned home Saturday empty-handed, without even the Rs 1 lakh crore combat jets deal for which French Rafale was chosen as the lowest bidder in January 2012.

The bottom line is: The “most important defence deal in history” to supply Rafale for the Indian Air Force (IAF) may not happen in the near future or during the 2013-14 fiscal, or even during the tenure of the present UPA II government that ends next May.

Lots more at http://newindianexpress.com/thesundayst ... 705118.ece

[Stratofreighter]

India May Close Interim MMRCA Deal Soon – Plus MRTT

January 9, 2014, 8:15 AM

With national elections looming in India, speculation is growing that contracts for the long-delayed medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), as well as the multi-role tanker transport (MRTT), could soon be signed.

However, the MMRCA pact might cover only the supply of 18 Dassault Rafale aircraft from the French production line,
leaving further negotiations for the remaining 108 required to be concluded by the new government.

India announced its choice of the Rafale in January 2012. But negotiations subsequently stalled over offsets, the transfer of technology and the role of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

continues at
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ ... -plus-mrtt