India Intends to Procure 26 Rafale Marine Jets From France

India Intends to Procure 26 Rafale Marine Jets From France: On 27 Oct 2023, India formally discussed with France its decision to procure 26 naval variants of the Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy, proceeding with the procurement process under an intergovernmental framework. In July, the defence ministry approved the purchase of the Rafale (marine) jets from France, specifically for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

India Intends to Procure 26 Rafale Marine Jets From France

In July, the defence ministry stated that the procurement of the jets and related additional equipment, like weapons and spare parts, will follow an inter-governmental agreement. It further added that the price and other conditions of purchase would be discussed with the French government, considering all important factors. In past, India and France also pledged to collaborate on jointly developing and producing cutting-edge defence technologies, which could extend benefits to other nations as well.

The detailed Letter of Request (LoR) was dispatched from the Indian defence ministry to the French Directorate General of Armaments for the planned agreement. The deal is set to consist of 22 single-seat jets and four twin-seat trainers, inclusive of armaments, simulators, spare parts, crew training, and logistical support. This LoR, part of the government-to-government agreement involving the purchase of Dassault Aviation-manufactured jets, follows closely after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to France on October 10-11.

India France Deal of 26 Rafale Marine Jets

India has formally initiated the process to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and associated equipment from France. The request for the deal, estimated to be worth around Rs 50,000 crore, has been issued by the Indian defence ministry. Let us look at all the important details related to this India France Rafale Marine Jets deal with the help of Key points from the report provided here -

• India's Ministry of Defence approved the purchase of Rafale (marine) jets from France. These are primarily intended for deployment on the domestically constructed aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
• Discussions about the Rafale Marine jets were reportedly part of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent visit to Paris.
• India has forwarded a formal letter of request to France, expressing its intent to procure these jets from Dassault Aviation through the government-to-government framework.
• The negotiation phase, including pricing and other specific details, is expected to start after the Indian defence ministry receives a response from the French government.
• Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, visited New Delhi to discuss various aspects of India’s intended procurement earlier this month.
• India's Ministry of Defence stated that the acquisition would be based on an inter-governmental agreement (IGA), allowing the negotiation of pricing and terms with the French government, considering all relevant aspects.
• The Indian Air Force initially purchased 36 Rafale aircraft in fly-away condition, with discussions within the Air Force suggesting the possibility of acquiring at least two more squadrons of Rafale jets.

Defence and strategic ties between India and France have seen considerable growth over the past few years, with notable collaborations on several defence projects announced in July. These include joint initiatives in the development of jet and helicopter engines and the construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy. Both countries have also expressed their commitment to cooperating in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, with a special focus on their potential advantages for third countries.

This procurement reflects growing collaboration and strengthening relationships between India and France in the defence sector. The tie-ups indicate a shared commitment towards advancements in defence technology, sharing potential benefits beyond their nations.