Amid the political slugfest over the Rafale deal, sources within the Defence ministry have told The Times of India that Indian authorities have paid more than 50 percent of the Rs 59,000 crore that they owed to France for the 36 Rafale jets expected to be delivered between November 2019 and April 2022.
According to the report, the first 15 percent was paid when the deal was signed between the two countries in 2016. Now around Rs 34,000 crore has been paid ahead of the delivery, while another Rs 13,000 crore is due later this year.
“The remaining instalments are linked to actual deliveries, with the final tranche to be paid in 2022.”The Source told TOI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will get the delivery of the first four jets in France in September, while these jest will arrive at Ambala Airbase in Haryana in May 2020.
According to the TOI report, the IAF plans to base a squadron of 18 jets each in Ambala and Hasimara (West Bengal) to cater to its fronts with Pakistan and China. The infrastructure at the two bases is being built at a cost of Rs 450 crore.
First Rafale Jet With 13 ISEs Under Testing
The report also suggests that the first Rafale jet with the 13 India Specific Enhancements (ISE), which includes radar enhancement, low-band jammers among others, is being tested in France. It is expected to achieve certification by April 2022.
Another source told the daily:
“It will take another six months to finish the certification for the software to drive the ISEs for all the 36 jets.”
The ISEs have led to a controversy after a report by The Hindu suggested that the hike in price was caused due to “government’s acceptance of the cost of €1.3 billion claimed for the ‘design and development’ of 13 ISE.”
(With inputs from The Times of India)
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