The Indian Foreign Ministry noted the greater price attractiveness and reliability of the Russian multi-role fighter Su-30 over the French Rafale. Sputnik learned this from the India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh.
Earlier, Indian media reported that the Ministry of Defense of India might refuse to purchase 126 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force from Rafale, which won the tender in 2012, and instead buy the Russian Su-30MKI.
Among the reasons that led the Indian defense establishment to think about refusing the purchase of the Rafale, was the increased prices now demanded by the French manufacturer, as well as the reluctance of France to transfer technologies to the Indian side.
“The French planes are expensive, whereas the Su-30s are inexpensive and reliable. The government has not yet made a final decision (on the possible cancellation of the contract for the Rafale fighter jets),” he said.
In January, the military leadership of India asked the French side to resolve issues relating to the supply of the aircraft before April, when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit France.
First published in Russian by RIA Novosti.
All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
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