ANNEXURE 44 GOVERNMENT OF (NDIA MINISTRY OF DEF INCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE LOK SABLA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.533 ‘TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18"! NOVEMBER, 2016 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT OF LAF $33. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: DR. KIRIT P, SOLANK! SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: DR. A SAMPATH: SHRI SATAY RAJEEV PROF. PREM SINGIi CANDUMAJRA: SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA\ SHRI LALLU SINGLL: DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIAYSINH SANKARRAO: SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI PRALFIAD JOSHI SHRI DEVS M. PATEL: Will the Minister of DEFENCE [kk ea=h be pleased to state: (a) whether the Indian Air Fores (JAR), has ade uate strength of fighte> jets, airerat and air warning surveillance systems, if so, the details thereot and 3f nor, the reasons therefor, (b) the steps taken / being taken to meet the shortage of wircraft in LAF for its urgent operational requirements; (© whether the Government fxs signed an agesement with France for purchase of Rafale jets; (a) iffs0, the total number of airerail to be purchased, its estimated cost and the time bby-which these fighter aircraft are likely to be delivered and inductee. into the LAF; andfe) whe the French company hay been urged to set up a production unit for munuficturing parts of these aireraft in the country, if so, the details thereof along with the detuils of agreement signed for technology transfer of the said aircraft? ANS WeR MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE trawaaty (31, ary sey) (a) &(b): The Indian Air Force (IAF) is equipped to cater for the threat environment that exists and is ready to meet the role assigned to it. Operational preparedness of IAF is reviewed from time to time based on the threat perception. Further augmenvation of capabilities of IAF including its modernisation and acquisition is a dynamic and continuous process. {4 {eo}: Inter-Governmental Agreement with the Government of French Republic has been signed on 23.09.2016 for purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft along with requisite equipments, services and weapons. Cost of each Rafale airoraft is approximately Rs.670 crore and all the aircraft will be delivered by April 2022. (e) No, Madam.