NEW DELHI, September 23. /TASS/. India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean Yves LeDrian signed a contract in New Delhi to supply the Indian Air Force with 36 high-tech Rafale fighters, produced by Dassault Aviation, NDTV reported on Friday.

Under the contract, the Indians will put a down payment of 15% of the contract price of €7.87 billion ($8.77 billion). Along with the fighters, New Delhi will receive spare parts and weaponry, including the Meteor missile. The first Rafale fighters are to be supplied within 18 months after finalizing the contract.

"France will invest 30 per cent of the €7.87 billion into India's military aeronautics-related R&D programs and 20% into local production of Rafale’s components," NDTV reported. In January 2012, Rafale won the international tender to supply the fighters, but up until now, India and France have not been able to agree on the price for the 36 fighters.