December 29, 2025 05:25 am (IST)
Follow us:
Centre scraps $20 billion MMRCA deal for 126 Rafale jets for IAF
New Delhi, Apr 13 (IBNS): The NDA government has scrapped the $20 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal for purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets, which was signed by the previous United Progressive Alliance government.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar claimed that Rafale fighters cannot replace the ageing MiG-21 which will be phased out in the next 6-10 years.
He said that India's indigenous Light Combat aircraft Tejas will replace MiG 21 as both are almost of the same category.
"We have not purchased any new aircraft of latest technology in the past 15 years. IAF desperately needs fourth generation aircraft, the fifth generation that we are working on will take 10-15 years," said Parrikar.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
'Nothing will happen to me,' Madhya Pradesh BJP councillor’s husband accused of rape, blackmail
Sun, Dec 28 2025
Supreme Court steps in on Aravalli mining row, CJI-led bench to hear suo motu case on Monday
Sat, Dec 27 2025
Delhi Police arrest over 660 in massive Operation Aaghat crackdown ahead of New Year celebrations
Sat, Dec 27 2025