IAF is also understood to have stressed on the need for procuring the 126 Rafale aircraft for strengthening its capabilities and also to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21
and MiG-27 combat planes.
IAF chief Arup Raha will also visit the exercise area on Monday where he will fly in a French Rafale aircraft while his counterpart from France would fly in a SU-30MKI combat jet. IAF is also learnt to have pushed for the early finalisation of the deals to procure 22 Apache attack choppers and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for the force.
The two deals are in final stages of being cleared and it is learnt that they were held back by the previous government due to the lack of funds with it for fresh procurements. Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Bikram Singh today called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed him on the security situation.
Yesterday, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh and Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan had also called on the Home Minister in his office.
