The Rafale-M and Rafale-B & C, while sharing several commonality, are configured differently to serve distinct operational requirements. The maritime Rafale features a longer, reinforced nose and a strengthened carriage and undercarriage operations.

Rafale-M vs Rafale-C: Key differences between India’s naval and air force jets

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Monday took over as the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, who demitted office on his superannuation, on Monday.

Earlier on September 19, the Central government had appointed Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria the next chief of the India Air Force (IAF).

Bhadauria, who was serving as the Vice Chief of Air Staff, was earlier heading IAF's Bengaluru-based Training Command.

As the Deputy Chief, he was the chairman of the Indian negotiating team for the 36 Rafale combat aircraft deal with France.

Bhadauria was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Air Force on June 15, 1980, with the 'Sword of Honour.'

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Delhi: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria pays tribute at the National War Memorial after taking charge as the IAF Chief, today. <a href="https://t.co/SjQfN43o8W">pic.twitter.com/SjQfN43o8W</a>
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He went on to hold several important positions such as Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Senior Air Staff Officer at the Central Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from January 2016 to February 28, 2017.

Bhadauria served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command from March 1, 2017.

He took over as the chief of Bengaluru-based Training Command on August 1, 2018.

Earlier today, prior to demitting his post as the Chief of Air Staff on superannuation, Dhanoa visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi to pay tributes to the defence personnel who had given up their lives in service of the nation.

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Monday took over as the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, who demitted office on his superannuation, on Monday.

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Monday took over as the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, who demitted office on his superannuation, on Monday. Earlier on September 19, the Central government had appointed Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria the next chief of the India Air Force (IAF). Bhadauria, who was serving as the Vice Chief of Air Staff, was earlier heading IAF's Bengaluru-based Training Command. As the Deputy Chief, he was the chairman of the Indian negotiating team for the 36 Rafale combat aircraft deal with France. Bhadauria was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Air Force on June 15, 1980, with the 'Sword of Honour.' Delhi: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria pays tribute at the National War Memorial after taking charge as the IAF Chief, today. pic.twitter.com/SjQfN43o8W — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2019 × He went on to hold several important positions such as Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Senior Air Staff Officer at the Central Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from January 2016 to February 28, 2017. Bhadauria served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command from March 1, 2017. He took over as the chief of Bengaluru-based Training Command on August 1, 2018. Earlier today, prior to demitting his post as the Chief of Air Staff on superannuation, Dhanoa visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi to pay tributes to the defence personnel who had given up their lives in service of the nation.

Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria takes over as new Indian Air Force chief

The Rafale deal negotiated by the NDA government was cheaper than the UPA offer, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has observed in its much-awaited report on Capital Acquisition on Indian Air Force which was tabled by the government in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday..

The NDA deal was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the one negotiated the UPA government, according to the report.

The report does not disclose the actual price of the 36 Rafale fighter jets contracted by the NDA government. However, it includes an examination of the pricing.&nbsp;

According to the report, a &nbsp;Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence &amp; Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements.

The government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault has become a controversial political issue, with the main opposition party Congress levelling allegations of corruption and impropriety, and the ruling dispensation defending the move.

The Rafale issue was also even raised before the Supreme Court, which did not find any substance in the allegations.

However, the issue has continued to rock Parliament with Congress President Rahul Gandhi directly accusing the Prime Minister of benefiting industrialist Anil Ambani.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress staged a protest outside the Parliament premises over Rafale deal.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Rafale deal negotiated by the NDA government was cheaper than the UPA offer, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has observed in its much-awaited report on Capital Acquisition on Indian Air Force which was tabled by the government in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The Rafale deal negotiated by the NDA government was cheaper than the UPA offer, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has observed in its much-awaited report on Capital Acquisition on Indian Air Force which was tabled by the government in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.. The NDA deal was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the one negotiated the UPA government, according to the report. The report does not disclose the actual price of the 36 Rafale fighter jets contracted by the NDA government. However, it includes an examination of the pricing. According to the report, a Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements. The government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault has become a controversial political issue, with the main opposition party Congress levelling allegations of corruption and impropriety, and the ruling dispensation defending the move. The Rafale issue was also even raised before the Supreme Court, which did not find any substance in the allegations. However, the issue has continued to rock Parliament with Congress President Rahul Gandhi directly accusing the Prime Minister of benefiting industrialist Anil Ambani. Meanwhile, Opposition Congress staged a protest outside the Parliament premises over Rafale deal. (With inputs from PTI)

NDA Rafale deal 2.86 per cent cheaper than one negotiated by UPA: CAG  

The Supreme Court will pronounce its&nbsp;verdict on Friday on pleas for lodging FIR and probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, reported news agency PTI.

The Supreme Court earlier in November heard a bunch of pleas seeking court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The petitioners include former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, and Bhushan.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas on November 14.

Advocate M L Sharma was the first petitioner in the case. Later, another lawyer Vineet Dhanda had moved the apex court with the plea for court-monitored probe into the deal.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh has also filed a petition against the fighter jet deal.

After the three petitions were filed, former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie along with activist advocate Prashant Bhushan had moved the apex court with a plea for a direction to the CBI to register FIR for alleged irregularities in the deal.

The Centre has defended the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets and opposed public disclosure of the pricing details.

Rafale deal is a defence agreement signed between the governments of India and France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in a fly-away condition as a part of the upgrading process of Indian Air Force equipment.

The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.

Indian Air Force had advanced a proposal to buy 126 fighter aircraft in August 2007 and floated a tender. Following this, an invitation was sent to various aviation companies to participate in the bidding process.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on Friday on pleas for lodging FIR and probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, reported news agency PTI.

The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on Friday on pleas for lodging FIR and probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, reported news agency PTI. The Supreme Court earlier in November heard a bunch of pleas seeking court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The petitioners include former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, and Bhushan. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas on November 14. Advocate M L Sharma was the first petitioner in the case. Later, another lawyer Vineet Dhanda had moved the apex court with the plea for court-monitored probe into the deal. AAP leader Sanjay Singh has also filed a petition against the fighter jet deal. After the three petitions were filed, former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie along with activist advocate Prashant Bhushan had moved the apex court with a plea for a direction to the CBI to register FIR for alleged irregularities in the deal. The Centre has defended the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets and opposed public disclosure of the pricing details. Rafale deal is a defence agreement signed between the governments of India and France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in a fly-away condition as a part of the upgrading process of Indian Air Force equipment. The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. Indian Air Force had advanced a proposal to buy 126 fighter aircraft in August 2007 and floated a tender. Following this, an invitation was sent to various aviation companies to participate in the bidding process.

Supreme Court to pronounce verdict on Rafale deal on Friday

India is set to finalise the 7.87 billion Euros deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets as&nbsp;French defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian arrives in India on September 22 along with CEOs of Dassault Aviation, Thales and MBDA to sign the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).&nbsp; 
 
The cost, offsets and service details have been finalised and work is being done on the IGA, Indian news agency the Press Trust of India reported.&nbsp; 
 
A team from France has already arrived in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and a group of translators are going through the contract.&nbsp; 
 
Once the IGA is fixed, the document will go for final clearance to the Cabinet Committee on Security.&nbsp; 
 
The fighter jet is expected to arrive in India in 2019, with an annual inflation capped at 3.5 per cent. &nbsp;The weapon systems will include new-age beyond visual range missile &#39;Meteor&#39; and Israeli helmet-mounted display.&nbsp; 
 
India managed to save over 590 Euro million through tough price negotiations, which began this year in January, according to PTI. &nbsp;The deal was delayed by pricing and offsets issue as India wanted a better contract, the news agency said.&nbsp; 
 
France agreed for a 50 per cent offset clause after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened. This will create at least 3 billion Euros worth of business for Indian companies and jobs through offsets.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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French defence minister, Jean Yves Le Drian, CEOs of Dassault Aviation, Thales and MBDA will be coming to India to seal the deal on Sep 22

India is set to finalise the 7.87 billion Euros deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets as French defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian arrives in India on September 22 along with CEOs of Dassault Aviation, Thales and MBDA to sign the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA). The cost, offsets and service details have been finalised and work is being done on the IGA, Indian news agency the Press Trust of India reported. A team from France has already arrived in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and a group of translators are going through the contract. Once the IGA is fixed, the document will go for final clearance to the Cabinet Committee on Security. The fighter jet is expected to arrive in India in 2019, with an annual inflation capped at 3.5 per cent. The weapon systems will include new-age beyond visual range missile 'Meteor' and Israeli helmet-mounted display. India managed to save over 590 Euro million through tough price negotiations, which began this year in January, according to PTI. The deal was delayed by pricing and offsets issue as India wanted a better contract, the news agency said. France agreed for a 50 per cent offset clause after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened. This will create at least 3 billion Euros worth of business for Indian companies and jobs through offsets. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

India set to finalise Rafale fighter aircraft deal