Dassault Rafale MMRCA Deal Possible After March; Indian Minister

Indian defense minister, Manohar Parrikar made it abundantly clear today that Dassault Rafale is very much in the reckoning in the Indian MMRCA contract during a press briefing at Aero India 2015 Airshow.

Decision on the French fighter plane Rafale acquisition will have to wait till March for the Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) final report, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said.

"I am waiting the CNC report and until the detailed report is submitted, I will be unable to comment on the MMRCA aircraft acquisition. I have asked the CNC to expedite the report. The report is expected in March if not February. It is essential for the ministry to make a final decision about the deal,” Parrikar said.

Today’s assertion by the Indian minister lays to rest speculation in various media that the deal could be abandoned due to insurmountable differences between the Indian and French sides.