Now Indian Navy looking to procure Rafale, French team in India to discuss details

Commercial negotiations for the purchase of 26 Rafale M fighters for the Navy are set to begin as a French delegation arrives in India. The navy wants to procure 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seater trainer variants of the potent fighter jet. The deal is likely to be signed after a government is formed at New Delhi. The total deal cost may be as much as Rs 50,000 crore. India intends to finalise the government-to-government deal this financial year. However, there is a problem. The maker Dassault Aviation, as of March this year, faced a production backlog of 211 aircraft. Thirty six  Rafale fighters are already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF).