Rafale aircraft deal still on, will close 'very soon': Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Rafale aircraft deal which costs around Rs 60,000 crore is still on and assured that it will be concluded "very soon". His statement comes nearly a year after a government-to- government deal for the multi-medium role combat aircraft was announced.

The French team of negotiators is scheduled to arrive in India on Tuesday. The two countries are expected to close the purchase of 36 Rafale mutli-role fighters.He admitted the pace of negotiation with France for 36 Rafale jets was "not enough". "We are definitely very serious about the Rafale deal. And it is definitely moving though I agree that the speed is not enough," Parrikar said.He said France and India would "very soon" conclude the deal and added "I am not putting a timeline because ultimately money is a problem and we should get a good deal."

In April, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India would go for a government-to-government deal with France for purchasing the fighter planes. But a final contract in this regard is yet to be signed. The sticking point is the price of the aircraft.