Rafale hero of Op Sindoor: Air Force vice-chief ahead of mega jets deal
India Today
IAF Vice-Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor's remarks come as the country was moving closer to clearing a major proposal to acquire 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), with the Rafale emerging as a frontrunner.
Calling the Rafale the “hero of Operation Sindoor,” Indian Air Force (IAF) Vice-Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor signalled the force’s intent to expand its fleet of advanced fighters, saying the IAF is looking forward to inducting more combat aircraft as a major acquisition decision nears.
“Rafale is definitely the buzzword,” Air Marshal Kapoor told India Today, adding that the aircraft was the "hero of Operation Sindoor — among many other heroes.”
His remarks come as the country was moving closer to clearing a major proposal to acquire 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), with the Rafale emerging as a frontrunner.
Earlier this week, sources told India Today TV that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is likely to consider granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the multi-billion-dollar programme ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit later this month.
The proposal had already been cleared by the Defence Procurement Board, headed by the Defence Secretary, last month — a key procedural step that brings the acquisition closer to formal negotiations.
If approved, the deal, estimated to be worth around Rs 3.25 lakh crore, would rank among India’s largest-ever fighter jet procurements.
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