Context
The mother of all defense deals is set to become bigger in years to come. India is expected to purchase 63 more fighters following the delivery of the 126 MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) in case the “timelines” for the country’s other fighter development projects aren’t met, according to defense officials. When the defense ministry initiated the MMRCA selection process in mid-2007, the total cost of the project was pegged at $10.4bn for 126 fighters. But it will exceed well beyond $20bn, if New Delhi opts for 189 aircrafts since inflation is being taken into account too. Even with 126 aircrafts, this is the world’s largest fighter contract as of now.
