New Delhi: The Indian Air Force, in a push to Atmannirbhar Bharat scheme by PM Narendra Modi-led government, will acquire 114 fighter jets out of which 96 aircrafts will be built in India and the rest 18 will be imported from the foreign vendor chosen for the project, reported news agency ANI.
As per the report, the Indian Air Force has plans of acquiring 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under 'Buy Global and Make in India' scheme under which Indian companies would be allowed to partner with a foreign vendor.
"Recently, the Indian Air Force held meetings with the foreign vendors and asked them about the way they would carry out the Make in India project," government sources told the news agency.
Citing sources, the report stated that after the initial 18 aircraft are imported, the next 36 aircraft would be manufactured within the country and the payments would be made partially in foreign currency and Indian currency.
The responsibility for the last 60 aircrafts will be with the Indian partner and the payment for the same will be made in Indian currency by the Indian government, it added.
Global aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab, MiG, Irkut Corporation and Dassault Aviation are expected to participate in the tender.
The IAF is also looking for a cost-effective solution for its fighter jet requirement as it wants a plane that is low on operational cost and gives more capability to the service, the sources said, quoted by the news agency.