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posted by: Niranjana VB
Last updated: July 13, 2023 at 3:05 PM IST
DAC approval of the projects came about a week after they were approved by the Defense Acquisition Board (DPB). (image file: PTI)
The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh approved the project the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day trip to Paris kicked off.
The Defense Ministry on Thursday approved the proposed purchase of 26 types of Rafale jets from France, people familiar with the development said.
The project was approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his two-day visit to Paris.
The DAC, the Defense Ministry’s highest decision-making body on procurement, has also approved a proposal to build three more Scorpene-class submarines in India.
The massive defense projects are expected to be announced after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.
DAC approval of the projects came about a week after they were approved by the Defense Acquisition Board (DPB).
The Indian Navy is looking to purchase 26 deck combat aircraft for the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
After a lengthy process, the Navy narrowed down a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and a Rafale M aircraft from French airline Dassault Aviation for purchase.
Later, the Rafale-M, the naval variant of the killer jet, emerged as the winner in the tight race. India has already purchased 36 Rafale aircraft from France for the Indian Air Force.
The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter jets in 23 years after importing Sukhoi jets from Russia.
Another important project with France is the follow-up order for three Scorpene-class submarines.
Under Project 75, six Scorpene-class submarines have already been manufactured in India.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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