In a big push to Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Indian Air Force will acquire 114 jets out of which 96 aircrafts will be built in India. The remaining 18 will be imported from the foreign vendor chosen for the project, reported news agency ANI.
As per the report, the Indian Air Force has plans of acquiring 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under ‘Buy Global and Make in India’ scheme under which Indian companies would be allowed to partner with a foreign vendor.
“Recently, the Indian Air Force held meetings with the foreign vendors and asked them about the way they would carry out the Make in India project,” government sources told the news agency.
As per the plan, after the initial 18 aircraft are imported, the next 36 aircraft would be manufactured within the country and the payments would be made partially in foreign currency and Indian currency, the sources said.
The last 60 aircraft would be the main responsibility of the Indian partner and the government would make payments only in Indian currency, the sources said.
Global aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab, MiG, Irkut Corporation and Dassault Aviation are expected to participate in the tender.
