In view of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday that India may start getting its Rafale fighter aircraft from France earlier than the agreed-upon 36 months. These jets are equipped Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air ‘Meteor’ missile, which has a range in excess of 150 km.
“As per the terms of the deal, it is 36 months but it may come earlier slightly,” the minister said, about the deal with France that was signed on Friday. This Euro 7.87-billion deal for the fighter jets, which are equipped with multiple India-specific modifications will give the Indian Air Force an advantage over its Pakistani counterpart.
The BVR feature will enable the Indian Air Force to hit targets inside Pakistan as well as across India’s northern and eastern borders, while staying within India’s territorial boundary. Pakistan currently has missiles with a BVR range of a mere 80 kilometres.
These aircrafts will be delivered in 66 months.
