January 01, 2026 12:34 pm (IST)
Centre scraps $20 billion MMRCA deal for 126 Rafale jets for IAF
New Delhi, Apr 13 (IBNS): The NDA government has scrapped the $20 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal for purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets, which was signed by the previous United Progressive Alliance government.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar claimed that Rafale fighters cannot replace the ageing MiG-21 which will be phased out in the next 6-10 years.
He said that India's indigenous Light Combat aircraft Tejas will replace MiG 21 as both are almost of the same category.
"We have not purchased any new aircraft of latest technology in the past 15 years. IAF desperately needs fourth generation aircraft, the fifth generation that we are working on will take 10-15 years," said Parrikar.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
S Jaishankar meets Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, hands him PM Modi's condolence letter
Wed, Dec 31 2025
‘Vote theft is in electoral rolls, not EVMs’: Abhishek Banerjee leads TMC charge against EC over Bengal voter re-verification
Wed, Dec 31 2025
Faridabad horror: Woman gang-raped in moving van for over two hours, thrown on road
Wed, Dec 31 2025
2025: An Unsettled World—and an India at the Crossroads
Wed, Dec 31 2025
No third party involved: India govt sources refute China’s Operation Sindoor ceasefire claim
Wed, Dec 31 2025
Final goodbye to Khaleda Zia: Jaishankar flies to Dhaka for funeral
Wed, Dec 31 2025
NRI dies in accidental gun discharge at home in Punjab’s Firozepur
Tue, Dec 30 2025
