Negotiation With France For Procurement of Rafale Fughter Jets Will Begin This Month: Parrikar

04 May, Panaji

Government Monday said that negotiations with France for procurement of Rafale fighter jets for IAF will begin this month and the multi-billion dollar deal will be finalised as early as possible.

Talking newsmen in Goa, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, the government to government committee will be set up to begin negotiations on the deal.

He said, the negotiations will start anytime in May. He, however refused to set any deadline to seal the much hyped deal claiming since it is government to government procedure, the deal would be quick.

The French Defence Minister is expected to be in New Delhi on May 6 to finalise the modalities for the negotiations. Parrikar said the government appointed committee will complete the negotiations in a time bound fashion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to France last month had signed an agreement to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets for over 6 billion dollars.