OREANDA-NEWS. September 26, 2016. France and India signed today the contract for the acquisition of 36 Rafale by India.

The conclusion of this contract comes after the announcement by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during his visit to Paris in April 2015, of his desire to rapidly equip the Indian Air Force with 36 Rafale. This desire was reiterated during the visit to India by French President, Fran?ois Hollande, in January 2016. The French Minister of Defence, Mr Jean-Yves le Drian and his Indian counterpart, Mr Manohar Parrikar, were instrumental in advancing this project during the course of their numerous exchanges.

Following on from the Mirage 2000, whose effective service with the Indian Air Force played a major role in establishing the reputation of Dassault aircraft, the Rafale was chosen by India in 2012 following a competitive bidding process initiated in 2007. The Rafale has been used by the French armed forces in combat operations for more than a decade now and has proven its operational excellence in various theatres around the world.

This new contract illustrates the strategic relationship and the exemplary partnership maintained between the two countries and marks the natural culmination of the relationship of trust initiated in 1953 when India became Dassault Aviation's first export customer.

This further success of the Rafale confirms the technological know-how and competences of Dassault Aviation's employees and of its 500 industrial partners. It rewards the work done by a close-knit "France" team. It represents a decisive step forward in achieving Dassault Aviation's goal of establishing itself in India with a view to developing wide-ranging cooperation under the "Make in India" policy promoted by Mr Narendra Modi.

"I am honoured and delighted by the decision of the Indian Authorities which gives new impetus to our partnership for the coming decades and I thank them for their confidence. Together, Indian and French companies alike, we will endeavour to ensure ambitious industrial cooperation. I am certain that the Rafale and its performance will hold high the colours of the Indian Air Force. It will demonstrate unstinting efficiency in protecting the people of India and the sovereignty of the world's largest democracy", declared Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO.