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posted by: Niranjana VB
Last updated: July 13, 2023 at 7:36 PM IST
Defense establishment sources said four of the 26 Rafale-M aircraft, the naval variant of the deck-based platform, will be trainers. (Credits: Twitter profile: Emmanuel Macron)
The DAC, the Ministry of Defense’s highest decision-making body for procurement, has also approved a plan to build three more Scorpene-class submarines in India.
India on Thursday approved proposals to buy 26 Rafale jets from France and three French-designed Scorpene submarines, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a two-day high-profile visit to Paris.
The Defense Ministry said the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had approved the purchase proposals.
Defense establishment sources said four of the 26 Rafale-Ms, the naval variant of the deck-based platform, will be trainers.
They said deliveries of the aircraft would begin within three years of signing the contract, adding that it could take up to a year to finalize the final deal as detailed negotiations over pricing would take place.
“The DAC has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with additional equipment, weapons, simulators, spare parts, documentation, crew training and logistical support for the Indian Navy from the French government on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement,” the ministry said.
It said the price and other purchase terms will be negotiated with the French government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including the comparative purchase price of similar aircraft by other countries.
“Furthermore, the integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) center for various systems will be included in the contract documents after due negotiation,” the company said in a statement.
The defense procurement projects are expected to be announced after PM Modi’s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.
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 DAC has also granted AoN to purchase three additional Scorpene-class submarines under the Buy (Indian) category which will be built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL),” the ministry said.
It said the purchase of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, would not only help maintain the required level of force and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant job opportunities in the local sector.
“It will also help MDL further enhance its submarine building capability and expertise,” she added.
MDL has already built six Scorpene-class submarines, five of which are already in service, and the sixth is likely to be commissioned in early 2024. The DAC approved another proposal to establish guidelines for achieving “required original content in all classes of helm acquisitions” Money said the ministry.
It will help achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in critical manufacturing technologies and support the life cycle of defense platforms/equipment through local manufacturing,” she added.
Officials said that the Indian Navy is searching for 26 fighter jets on the deck of 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 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 were India’s first major acquisition of fighter jets in 23 years after importing Sukhoi jets from Russia.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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