PUNE: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday India might start getting Rafale fighter aircraft from France earlier than the agreed upon 36-month period.

“As per terms of the deal it is 36 months (during which the delivery has to start), but it may come slightly earlier. We have requested them to (deliver it) as fast as possible,” he said.

On September 23, India and France signed the much-delayed 7.87-billion euro (`59,000 crore approximately) deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets that will come equipped with latest missiles and weapon systems besides multiple India-specific modifications that will give the IAF greater “potency” over arch rival Pakistan.

The “vanilla price”, or the price of the aircraft lone, will be about 91 million euros for a single-seater and about 94 million euros for a two-seater.

Parrikar also said a 12-member committee to suggest structural changes in the military on cutting down flab and reducing revenue (maintenance) expenditure would soon submit its report.

The deal is crucial for the IAF that is grappling with a drawdown of its fighter fleet. The IAF has 33 fighter squadrons, each consisting of 18 fighter planes. It requires 45 combat units to counter a combined threat from China and Pakistan.

The delivery of the jets will begin in 36 months and will be completed in 66 months from the date the contract is inked.

The Centre had initially planned to purchase 126 fighter planes but later opted for just 36 jets in fly-away condition with PM Narendra Modi announcing the revised deal in Paris last year.