Ready to provide additional Rafale jets to India, says French minister

France is ready to provide additional Rafale fighter jets to India if New Delhi needs, said the country’s Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly on Friday, reported PTI.

“[Two countries] Using the same aircraft is a real asset and strength,” Parly said during a session on India-France cooperation in Delhi. “I am sure that there is room for new developments. We are ready to answer any additional needs of request that could be made by India.”

The Narendra Modi government had signed a deal with France in 2016 for 36 Rafael jets, as part of a Rs 59,000-crore agreement.

The first batch of five aircraft landed in India in July last year, the second batch arrived in November 2020 and the third in January this year. The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in over two decades.

The French embassy had said on Thursday that 33 Rafale jets have already been delivered to India.

On Friday, Parly said that she was happy that the Indian Air Force was satisfied with the aircraft. “We are very proud that despite Covid-19, the 36 aircraft will be delivered on time according to the contract,” she said. “It is a real achievement.”

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