NEW DELHI - India has said that it will buy only 36 Rafale fighter jets from France instead of 126 as they are "way too expensive," local media reported Monday.

"India is unlikely to increase the number of Rafale fighters as the French-made jets are way too expensive," Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar was quoted as saying.

"I also feel like having a BMW and Mercedes. But I don't because I can't afford it. So 126 Rafales is economically unviable. It is not required."

The Indian government had earlier slammed the previous Congress- led United Progressive Alliance government for giving its nod to acquire 26 French fighter jets, a deal worth $20 billion.