September 16, 2026 10:35 am (IST)
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
Jadavpur University tightens night entry: Students without legitimate reason after 8 PM to face action
Tue, Sep 15 2026
India flags 2 Pakistan-made fairness creams over excessive heavy metals; nationwide alert issued
Tue, Sep 15 2026
India dismisses Pakistan’s Masood Azhar bounty hike as ‘phoney announcement’, calls for concrete action
Tue, Sep 15 2026
Karnataka Congress chief calls Umar Khalid ‘nationalist’ amid NLSIU documentary row
Tue, Sep 15 2026
Gurugram biker hit by car: Two including main accused arrested after viral road rage video, attempt to murder case filed
Tue, Sep 15 2026
Anwar Ibrahim’s Bollywood moment at BRICS: Malaysian PM sings Kishore Kumar, then shares SRK-Kajol song with official Instagram post
Tue, Sep 15 2026
This BJP candidate got just 1 vote in Rajasthan civic polls — and it wasn't even his own!
Tue, Sep 15 2026
3 Italians board Delhi-Munich flight without immigration check, Air India under scanner
Mon, Sep 14 2026
