Indian Defence Review

Rafale

India’s hunt for the acquisition of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) is coming to a close with the Ministry of Defence giving the green signal to the evaluation process that led to selection of the French Rafale fighter. The aircraft was chosen as Dassault was the lowest bidder on the basis of its lifecycle cost and technology transfer. The total deal is worth $20 billion with inbuilt options for further orders. On January 31, the Indian Air Force had declared the Rafale as the preferred bidder, overriding the claims of the multi-nation Eurofighter. According to negotiations, 18 Rafale fighters will arrive in India from mid-2015, with another 108 to be built in India under collaboration.