India’s Rafale Procurement- A Timeline

India received the Rafale fighter jet on Tuesday- its first new generation aircraft in over two decades. The last all-new aircraft to enter Indian Air Force service was the Su-30MKI two decades ago.

Defenseworld.net plots the latest purchase from contract signing to first delivery.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received the First Dassault Rafale fighter Jet at a facility of Dassault Aviation, BORDEAUX France on October 8.

In September 2016, India signed a €7.87 billion (INR 59,000 crore) deal with the French government for purchase of 36 Rafale combat aircraft.

By February 2021 India will receive 18 aircraft. Delivery of all 36 jets to be completed by April 2022.