National Desk, 29th August: India and France have initiated discussions regarding the Rafale-M fighter aircraft deal, a move prompted by the Defence Acquisition Council’s recent announcement. Both nations’ teams are actively working to finalize the project’s details, which carry a substantial cost of over Rs 50,000 crore.
A French delegation, led by an official from their Directorate General of Armament, visited India last week to engage with Indian defense officials. This meeting marks the first since the deal’s approval by the Defence Acquisition Council, which occurred prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on July 14.
The acquisition of Rafale Marine jets is aimed at bolstering India’s naval defense operations from its aircraft carriers, particularly the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. These advanced aircraft will replace the existing MiG-29 jets.
This marks India’s second purchase of fighter jets from Dassault Aviation in recent years, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities. The Indian Navy’s pressing need for additional aircraft and submarines has driven the urgency of fulfilling these requirements.
The Defense Acquisition Council’s approval paves the way for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy. This includes 22 single-seated Rafale marine aircraft and four twin-seater trainer versions.