Talks on only with French company Dassault Aviation for 126 Rafale aircraft: Government

NEW DELHI: The Defence Ministry today said it was talking only to the French Dassault Aviation for procuring 126 Rafale aircraft under a multi-billion dollar tender.

"We are not talking to anyone except Dassault Aviation whose Rafale aircraft has been selected as the lowest bidder in the multi-billion dollar contract," Defence Ministry sources said here.

The Ministry was responding to reported claims made by German and Russian officials that India was discussing the contract with them and there was a possibility of the project being retendered.

There have been questions earlier after which Defence Minister A K Antony decided to review the process to determine the lowest bidder in the deal bagged by French Rafale after defeating European Eurofighter.

Defence Ministry has also resumed the process of negotiating the price of the 126 aircraft with French Dassault Aviation after it was halted briefly following objections from former MP Mysura Reddy.