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Summary
European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) of Germany initiated a deal with Indian Air Force (IAF) for providing 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) worth over 10 billion dollars. Briefing the media persons at New Delhi, German ambassador to India Thomas Matussek said this at New Delhi on Tuesday. He also mentioned that this deal not only heralds Germany entering into a security partnership with India on commercial note but also from a joint security exercise. We have decided that we wanted to enter into a real security partnership with India. Your security is our security. So, what we are talking about here is not purely a commercial venture. It's not a by-a-client relationship but security partners with four native countries with the cutting edge technology for the next 20-30 years to come. So, it goes way beyond a commercial relationship, said Thomas Matussek, Germany Ambassador to India. The CEO of EADS said that they had a successful meeting with the IAF and he is hopeful of encouraging response from the Indian Ministry of Defence within a few weeks. We have official request from the Indian Air Force, from the Indian MoD (Ministry of Defence), in particular, for the so-called multi-role capabilities. So, on the one side, to have the air to air to capabilities and on the other side, to have the air to ground capabilities and that is what the Euro fighter is fulfilling. First topic is that India is asking as well for technology transfer and I believe that they are interested as well in the new technology in the fighter business, said Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company. If the IAF approves and the Indian Defence Ministry decides to buy this highly modern and futuristic aircraft, then it would be the fifth production base for the Euro fighter along with Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain.
