Most 'extras' in 36-Rafale contract were also specified in earlier tender

The government has argued that India-specific enhancements have raised the Rafale's price, including helmet mounted sights, radar warning receiver, radio altimeter, Doppler radar and cold start

In buying 36 Rafale fighters from French vendor Dassault in September 2016, senior defence ministry sources indicate the Indian government is paying 40 per cent higher than the price quoted in 2012 for 126 Rafales. That deal was eventually aborted.

As Business Standard reported on Friday Dassault had quoted Euro 19.5 billion for 126 Rafale fighters, averaging 155 million euro per aircraft. Before that deal could be finalised, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government purchased 36 Rafale fighters for Euro 7.85 billion in September 2016. In other words, 217 euro per aircraft — 40 per cent higher than the earlier