French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Friday said her country is ready to provide additional Rafale fighter jets to India if it requires and noted that the use of the same aircraft by the two strategic partners is a reflection of “real asset and strength” in their ties.
Parly, who is on a visit to India, made the comments at a think-tank ahead of her wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The French embassy on Thursday said 33 Rafale jets have already been delivered to India on schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 59,000 crore.
