A committee headed by Air Marshal S.B.P. Sinha is all set to begin government-to-government negotiations with France for procurement of Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, and the multi-billion dollar deal will be finalised as early as possible, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday.
“The committee set up on May 13 will begin negotiations on the deal any time as a French delegation has arrived in India to hold negotiations,” Mr Parrikar said. 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.
Proposals clearedSpeaking about the achievements of the Defence Ministry, Mr. Parrikar said that Capital Acquisition proposals of Rs.1,60,000 crore, which were blocked for years, had been cleared.
Make in India initiativeHe said that under the Make in India initiativc, the government had allowed 65 per cent licence-free manufacturing and exports. FDI in Defence has been increased to 49 per cent.
In the Defence sector, he said, the government would emphasise indigenisation in manufacturing. Ordinance factory production had already shown improvement, he said.
Mr. Parrikar said Tejas, the light combat aircraft, would undergo final flight testing next month, observing that ‘Make in India’ was a long-term solution for improving the strength of the IAF.
