India to buy 126 Rafale jets for $ 10.4 billion

The race for the world's biggest fighter jet deal which ended on Tuesday saw the French Rafale fighter emerge as the winner. The Indian Air Force will buy 126 fighters from France for Rs 52,000 crores.

The Rafale fighter jet built by the French firm Dassault emerged as the lowest tender in the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition beating the only other rival Eurofighter.

The Rafale has been selected thanks to the aircraft's competitive life-cycle costs and top-level operational performance. Negotiations will include important technology transfers guaranteed by the French Government. The realisation of the Rafale project will illustrate the depth and scale of the strategic partnership between France and India.

The Rafale is an Omni role fighter which means it can carry out ground attack, air defence and reconnaissance roles. It can carry anti-ship, air to air and air to ground missiles. It is powered by two engines adding to reliability. It can also carry nuclear weapons.

Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia said,