The procedure for purchasing 126 multi-role combat jets for the Indian Air Force is in the final stage and will be completed shortly, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday.
"The procedure for acquisition of 126 multi-role aircraft is at the final stage. I can assure that a decision in this regard will be taken very quickly," he told reporters during a press conference at the Aero India show that he inagurated in Bangalore on Wednesday morning.
Several frontline jets made by global aviation majors -- including the F-16 and F-18 of the US, Sweden's Gripen and Russia's MiG-35 -- are in the race for the contract.
Antony also said India's light combat aircraft project is very much on and "there is no question" of it being abandoned.