No mention of Rafael M deal on papers claims a section of Indian media, Dassault Aviation says, India selected the jets

New Delhi: A section of Indian media today raised the conspicuous silence of documents issued after summit level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Rafael Marine deal.

They claimed, India France bilateral roadmap ‘Horizon 2047’ that draws the roadmap for ties for the next 25 years, or the separate joint communique issued after the Sumit level talks had no mention of the additional Rafale jets that India plans to buy for its Navy. The foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra also did not make a direct reply to a media question about the absence of the proposed sale that was approved by DAC in the diplomatic documents. The two leaders, however, welcomed the “timely delivery” of the 36 Rafale jets whose agreement had been signed in 2015.

However, Dassault Aviation has claimed that it bagged the supply of 26 Rafael Marine jets from the Indian government.

In a statement it said, Indian Government announced the selection of the Navy Rafale to equip the Indian Navy with a latest-generation fighter.

It further said, following an international competition launched by the Indian authorities, this decision comes after a successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navy's operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier.

The aviation giant said, “The Indian Navy's 26 Rafale will eventually join the 36 Rafale already in service, which are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and on the seas and guarantee its sovereignty.”

"As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of our partnership with the Indian Forces, I would like to thank the Indian authorities for this new mark of confidence and pledge, on behalf of Dassault Aviation, that we will fully meet the Indian Navy's expectations with the Rafale", said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

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