Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finalized an order to buy dozens of warplanes from France in a long-delayed deal that will equip India’s air force with advanced fighter jets.
On Friday in New Delhi, the Indian and French defense ministers signed a contract to purchase 36 Rafale jets from Paris-based Dassault Aviation SA. The ceremony concluded India’s long search for a new multi-role combat aircraft and years of drawn-out negotiations. The deal is worth 7.8 billion euros ($8.7 billion), an Indian defense ministry official told reporters in New Delhi, asking not to be identified citing rules.
