British defence delegation to visit India
Published: 04th February 2012 02:10 AM | Last Updated: 16th May 2012 05:49 PM | A+A A-
NEWDELHI: A week after the Eurofighter Typhoon lost out to French Dasault Rafale for a mega contract to supply 126 fighter jets, a high-powered delegation of 20 British defence companies will be visiting India on Monday, in a bid to make business inroads into the world’s largest defence markets.
The $10.2 billion contract to supply 126 fighter jets was won by Dassault Aviation’s Rafale after outbidding Eurofighter Typhoon on January 31. It had led to much hand-wringing in London, with British Prime Minister David Cameron assuring his MPs that he will do everything possible to ensure that the Indian government “reconsidered” its decision. The UK is part of the four-nation consortium that developed and promoted the Eurofighter typhoon.The Indian decision will certainly hang over the six-day visit of the delegation, led by UK Defence Minister for International Security Strategy Gerald Howarth.