Critical need led to Rafale buy, although 2 fighters met IAF criteria: Govt

Sitharaman confirms in Rajya Sabha both Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon were found fully compliant and that Rafale was purchased with an inter-governmental agreement

The defence ministry has tabled statements in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, revealing aspects of the Rafale fighter procurement that are only now being confirmed by the government. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed that the abortive global tender for 126 medium fighters started out as an Indian Air Force (IAF) bid to replace its single-engine light MiG-21 fighters with six squadrons of Mirage-2000 fighters. The Mirage fighters were to be bought from French vendor, Dassault, as a single vendor contract. 

“In order to replace the existing MiG-21 aircraft, a case to procure 126