India is considering the possibility of purchasing more Su-30MKI fighters in case negotiations with France on purchase of Rafale fighters are not successful, RIA Novosti reports with reference to a source close to Russian Ministry of Defense.

In January 2012 Rafale won the largest international tender for delivery of defense products in India’s history. The contract for delivery of 126 medium multi-role fighter aircraft to Indian air forces is assessed at more than $10 billion.

Indian Minister of Defense said earlier that negotiations with the French party lasting for more than 3 years got stuck, because French companies refuse to meet the terms and conditions of the tender issued by Indian air forces. According to him, the launch of production of Su-30MKI fighters by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will help replace Rafale jets.

It was reported earlier that France is not going to allow HAL to launch production of Rafale fighters.

The production cost of one Su-30 in India is $56 million (more than two times lower than the price of Rafale).

Su-30 fighters represent about one third of India’s fleet. License agreement for 42 Su-30MKI jets was signed in 2012. Russia has delivered 28 out of 42 fighters of the type to India by February 2014.