The J-10C is a 4.5-generation medium-sized fighter jet and is more powerful than the China-Pakistan jointly developed lightweight fighter jet, the JF-17, currently being used by the PAF.
India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in September 2016. The addition of Rafale is seen as a major capability booster for the IAF.
The RFI was issued as the Navy will be phasing out the MiG-29Ks, currently being used on INS Vikramaditya -- a modified Kiev class carrier -- in 2034.
The J-10C aircraft were part of the Pak-China joint exercise last year, where experts from Pakistan had the opportunity to have a close look at the fighter jets.
The French embassy on Thursday said 33 Rafale jets have already been delivered to India on schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why French company Dassault, which makes Rafale jet fighters, paid Rs 65 crore to Indian middleman Sushen Gupta’s Mauritius shell company during Congress regime? Watch Aaj Ki Baat with Rajat Sharma.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that the BJP government has sacrificed national security, jeopardised the interests of the Indian Air Force and caused loss worth thousands of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Rahul Gandhi's remarks came a day after a French investigative journal Mediapart made fresh claims that alleged bogus invoices were used that enabled French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation to pay at least 7.5 million euros in secret commissions to a middleman to help it secure the Rafale deal with India.
According to Mediapart's investigation, Dassault Aviation paid the kickbacks to the intermediary in Mauritius between 2007 and 2012.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) commemorated the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' by forming to what it called an 'Elephant Walk' formation with 75 aircrafts. The fighter jets included India;s might Rafale and Jaguars.
The 101 squadron is starting with around half a dozen Rafale aircraft. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria was present at the airbase on the occasion.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday said that Centre should take cognisance of the alleged "corruption" in the Rafale deal.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too taunted, "Why is Modi government not ready for JPC probe?"
The way Rahul Gandhi is behaving, it will not be an exaggeration to say that he is being used as a pawn by competing companies, said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.
Following the development, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward and order a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale deal.
On the operationalisation plan, you are aware, we are fully operational.. so, in terms of time, we will be absolutely on time," he told reporters after reviewing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal.
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 58,000 crore.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria visited a Rafale aircraft training facility on the third day of his five-day visit to France. He also thanked the French aerospace industry for ensuring timely delivery of the jets.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe at the government over the Rafale fighter jet deal, saying karma is the ledger of one's action and no one can escape it.
The fourth batch of 3 Rafale fighter jets arrived in India from France on Wednesday. The jets were provided mid-air refuelling by aircraft from the United Arab Emirates.
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