India is planning to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France…reports Asian Lite News
In a major development, India is planning to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France.
The proposals have been placed before the Defence Ministry by the defence forces and are likely to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France this week, government sources said. As per the proposals, the Indian Navy will get 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft.
The Navy had been pressing for acquiring these fighter aircraft and submarines urgently as they have been facing shortages in view of the security challenges around the country.
The aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant have been operating the MiG-29s and need the Rafales for operations on both carriers.
Meanwhile, the three Scorpene class submarines would be acquired under the repeat clause by the Navy as part of Project 75 where they would be built in the Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai.
The deals are estimated to be worth over Rs 90,000 crore but the final cost would be clear only after the contract negotiations are completed which will be held after the deal is announced.
India is likely to seek price concessions in the deal and would be insisting on having more ‘Make-in-India’ content in the plan, sources said.
Industry sources said for the Rafale M deal, India and France are expected to form a joint team to negotiate the deal like it was done for the previous Rafale deal for 36 fighter aircraft.
The proposals have been discussed in the defence ministry at high-level meetings already and are likely to be placed before the defence acquisition council in the next few days and expected to be accorded Acceptance of Necessity by the government before the announcement in France.
‘A warm welcome to France for the Indian Rafale jets’
Indian Rafale jets reached France where they will take part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour.
Taking to Twitter, France’s ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain said, “A warm welcome to France for the Indian Rafale jets that will soar in the skies of Paris on Friday for #BastilleDay!”
The French traditional military parade is held in Paris during Bastille Day on July 14. PM Modi’s visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the “strategic partnership” between France and India.
At the invitation of France President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour on France’s National Day on July 14.
Earlier, on July 8, Indian Air Force (IAF) officials said that the IAF flying contingent of 4 Rafale aircraft and 2 C-17 Globemasters were welcomed by the French Air and Space Force (FASF).
The statement also said that India and France have a long history of cooperation, particularly in the area of air power, as seen by the flypast and march of the IAF air warriors on Bastille Day.
“The flypast and marching by the IAF air warriors on Bastille Day follow a long association that the two nations share, especially in the field of air power,” said the statement.
Many Indians like Welinkar, Shivdev Singh, HC Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar fought over the skies of France during the two World Wars. Some, like Jumbo Majumdar, were also decorated for their gallant action, over the Falaise Gap, during the terminal phase of World War II, added the official statement.
The statement also said, “The Indian Air Force has operated multiple French aircraft starting with the Ouragan.” This was followed by fighter aircraft like Breguet Alize, Mystere IVA, SEPECAT Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and now, the Rafale.
“Helicopters like the Alouette-III & Lama continue to render yeoman services to India, especially in the remote Himalayan areas,” it added.
The official statement also stated that IAF marching contingent was commanded by Squadron leader Sindhu Reddy, an accomplished helicopter pilot.
It said that Reddy has also extensively flown the Alouette-III helicopter while in her service.
“As a matter of fact, the IAF marching contingent is commanded by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, who is an accomplished helicopter pilot. She has also extensively flown the Alouette-III helicopter in her service,” said the statement.
The statement further said that professional ties between the two Air Forces were strengthened during flying exercises like Ex Desert Knight, Garuda and Orion.
It also added that the strategic friendship, which spans decades and continues to develop both on the ground and in the air, can be seen in the IAF’s Rafale aircraft flying wings to wings with the FASF. (ANI)
ALSO READ-India, France & Australia join forces on maritime security