In a significant move to bolster the country’s defence capabilities, India’s Ministry of Defence has given preliminary approval to acquire 26 Rafale fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines from France.
The news was reported by ANI, citing sources within the government. The green light from the Defence Procurement Board will now pass on to the Defence Acquisition Council for further confirmation. These highly anticipated deals are expected to be officially declared during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to France.
H2: Details of the Acquisition and the Strategic Importance
The proposed acquisition encompasses 22 single-seated Rafale marine aircraft and four trainer aircraft to be deployed within the Indian Navy. The urgency of the purchase was underscored by the Indian Navy, which had been pressing for these additions given the evolving security environment and an identified shortfall in resources.
India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant, are equipped with MiG-29s, but the need for Rafales has been identified to enhance operational capabilities across both carriers. The incoming Scorpene submarines will be constructed at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai under the repeated clause invoked by the navy as part of Project 75.
Although preliminary estimations peg the deals worth over INR 900 billion, the final price tag will only be clear after thorough negotiations. As part of the negotiation process, India aims to secure price concessions and insists on domestic aircraft assembly. To steer the negotiation process, a joint team comprising representatives from India and France is set to be established, per industry sources.
