Rafale aircraft 'highly suited' to operate in subcontinent conditions: Security expert

Security expert Qamar Agha on Sunday welcomed the deal struck by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale jet fighters for the Indian Air Force, stating that these aircrafts are 'highly suited' to operate in the topography of the region.

"This is a very important deal because the Air Force needed these planes. These planes are one of the finest in the world and our Air Force is quite acquainted with the French technology and French aircrafts. We have been using Mirage-2000 for a long time. The type of topography and conditions that exists in this part of the world, these planes are highly suited," Agha told ANI.

"The best part of this deal is that it is outright purchase: they will immediately supply the jets to India. Other than that, French usually do not put many conditions in a deal and moreover France is a friendly nation," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is presently on a two-day visit to France, had on Friday ordered 36 'ready-to-fly' French-made Rafale fighter jets.

The 36 Rafale jets are expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) within a span of two years.