India finally breaks ice over Rafale deal, great decision, says Manohar Parrikar

India to get 36 ready-to-fly French made Rafale fighter jetsDefence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday lauded India's decision to purchase 36 ready-to-fly French made Rafale fighter jets and said that it is a "great decision" which will see their induction into the Indian Air Force in a span of just two years.

Reacting to the development, Parrikar said, "India has finally broken the ice over the deal which has been pending for the last 17 years." It is a great deal both on terms and condition, he added.

Parrikar said that the jets will now be inducted into the IAF in a span of two years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-nation tour to Europe and Canada, placed the order after meeting French President Francois Hollande on Friday.

The deal, which could be worth about 4 billion euros, is aimed at modernising India's ageing warplane fleet that needs urgent upgradation. The jets are manufactured by French firm Dassault Aviation.

Indian security experts believe the induction of the jets into IAF will further boost India's capabilities.

"I have asked President (Francois Hollande) to supply 36 ready-to-fly Rafale jets to India," Modi said at a news conference on the first day of his state visit to France, adding, "Our civil servants will discuss (terms and conditions) in more detail and continue the negotiations."

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected to travel to India soon to finalise the deal.

According to a French defence ministry source, Friday's deal was separate from the original negotiations and came about after Indian defence minister indicated the country's urgent requirements.

"We informed them we were ready to respond to their operational needs separate from the tender under discussion for three years," the source said.

India wants to start replacing its ageing jet fleet from 2017.

"There was a real operational need because India needs combat jets because a certain number of countries have been equipping themselves, so there was a desire to speed up the process," Dassault Chief Executive Eric Trappier told Europe 1 radio.

India and France already have close defence ties, particularly in the field of military hardware supplies.

India had earlier purchased Mirage 2000 fighter jets from Dassault. In March, the company had again delivered two modernised Mirage jets to India.

"Indian Air Force will get minimum oxygen (relief) it requires with this deal...In fact we have not purchased any major new generation aircraft in (last) 17 years," Parrikar said.

"Procuring 36 planes for two squadrons is an extremely positive decision which was needed," he said, adding negotiations will be held over their pricing, which are currently valued at Rs.700 crore.