Rafale: India might add only one or two additional squadrons

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar neither used word “Cancelled ” or “Scrapped” but he still left enough hints for media to know that long-delayed plans to purchase 126 jets under MMRCA tender is dead and any future additional purchase of Rafale jets will be under G2G (Govt to Govt) deal and not directly with aircraft manufacture which, in this case, is Dassault aviation .

Sources in IAF speaking to idrw.org last night said that MOD is unlikely to go for bigger orders of Rafale in near future after delivery of 36 jets ordered are complete. At best two more Squadrons will be ordered according to him.

while it is still not clear How MOD and Parrikar plan to fill out falling numbers of squadron level in Indian Air force , but Parrikar and MOD are working one something which will be ready in next one month said same sources.

In past Parrikar had advocated the purchase of additional upgraded sukhoi-30MKI from Russia and Sources also inform that IAF and MOD along with HAL are working on possible additional orders for Tejas MK-1 jets but with some improvements. Clarity will come in next few weeks.