India on Friday signed a 580-billion-rupee (8.7-billion-dollar) deal to buy 36 fighter jets from France. The purchase of the Rafale jets, built by French company Dassault, is among the world's major defence deals. 

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, signed the contract in New Delhi. Details about the accompanying weaponry and spares will be disclosed shortly, an Indian Defence Ministry official said. 

In a statement, Dassault said the contract illustrated the "strategic relationship and exemplary partnership" between India and France. "The Rafale has been used by the French armed forces in combat operations for more than a decade now and has proven its operational excellence in various theatres around the world," it said. 

French newspaper Le Monde reported that the first jet should be delivered in 2019.

Source : QNA