Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today hinted that India may get getting Rafale fighter aircraft from France earlier than the agreed-upon 36 months.
"As per terms of the deal it is 36 months (during which the delivery has to start), but it may come slightly earlier. We have requested them to (deliver it) as fast as possible," Parrikar told reporters in Pune after a programme under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan organised by Pune Cantonment board on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
On September 23, India and France signed the Euro 7.87-billion (Rs 59,000 crore approx) deal for Rafale fighter jets, equipped with latest missiles and weapon system besides multiple India-specific modifications that will give the IAF greater "potency" over arch rival Pakistan.
The 'vanila price' (just of the aircraft alone) will cost about 91 million Euros each for a single seater and about 94 million Euros for a two seater trainer aircraft.
Parrikar also said that a 12-member committee to suggest structural changes in the military on cutting down flab and reducing revenue (maintenance) expenditure will soon submit its report.
The committee is headed by Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar.
The Defence Minister also told the media that the efforts to bring back Indian soldier who was captured by Pakistan I forces after crossing the Line of Control inadvertently is on and standard mechanism has been ‘activated’ at the level of Director Generals of Military Operation (DGMO) of India and Pakistan.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the efforts to bring back Indian soldier who ‘inadvertently crossed the Line of Control’ is on and standard mechanism has been ‘activated’ at the level of Director Generals of Military Operation (DGMO) of India and Pakistan.
“There is a standard mechanism at the DGMO level, which has been activated,” Parrikar said.
Chandu Babulal Chauhan (22) of 37 Rashtriya Rifles with weapons had inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control and was captured by the Pakistani forces.
