MMRCA deal to be finalized soon: Air Chief

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha while speaking to Hindustan Times has said that the deal with French company Dassault is going to be finalized soon.

According to HT report, Raha said, Indian Air Force cannot afford any more delays. He said a deadline for finalization of the deal had not been set but added “it's going to happen soon.”

India had on 2012 finalized the negotiations of buying 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) from foreign vendors.

Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government had coned on Dassault Aviation’s combat fighter jet “Rafale” against the likes of USA’s “F-16”, Sweden’s “Gripen” and European consortium’s “Eurofighter”.

But before the final deal could be made, allegations surfaced that some kickbacks might have taken place over choosing Rafale.

The Centre denied any wrongdoings and placed Rafale’s superiority over Eurofighter as a defence.

This led to stagnancy, and the deal was hold up for two years now.

Since then Britain is trying to re-enter the auction race.

Britain in fact raised the contract with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in July, holding out hope for the Eurofighter.

But, Arup Raha dismissed such possibility.

“It will not be appropriate to make any changes in the process,” HT quoted Air Chief Marshal as saying.