Rafale fighter jets will be inducted in IAF in a span of two years. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday that French Rafale jet deal, announced by prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday in Paris is a great decision taken on the terms and conditions that are better.  India has finally broken the ice over the Rafale deal which has been pending for 17 years, said Parrikar

India will buy 36 fighter planes that are ready to fly, citing critical operational requirement of the IAF. The announcement was made by Modi at a joint news conference with French president Francois Hollande after their summit talks at Elysee palace. The deal is under the government to government agreement.

India and France were locked in negotiations for three years over the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets valued at $12 billion but has been bogged down over cost and Dassault Aviation's reluctance to stand guarantee for 108 planes to be made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India.

Nuclear deal
An agreement on the stalled 10,000 MW nuclear project in Jaitapur in Maharashtra was among the 17 pacts signed after the talks between Modi and Hollande. The deal was signed between India's Larsen and Toubro and France's AREVA and it is aimed at cost reduction by increasing localisation.

Another pact related to Pre-engineering agreementsbetween NPCIL and AREVA in connection with studies that is intended to bring clarity on all technical aspects of the plant so that all parties (AREVA, ALSTOM and NPCIL) can firm up their price and optimise all provisions for risks still included at this stage in the costs of the project.

It will also enable transfer of technology and development of indigenous nuclear energy industry in India.

Other decisions include a scheme for expedited 48 hours visa issuance by France for Indian tourists.

France also announced an investment of about $1 billion in India as Modi invited French companies to pump in money in technology in the fastest growing economy.