New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of India has approved the purchase of 26 Rafale M fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines from France. The deals, worth INR 90,000 crore ($13.3 billion), are expected to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France later this week.
The Rafale M is a naval variant of the Rafale fighter jet, which is already in service with the Indian Air Force. The jets will be used to equip the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which is currently under construction. The Scorpene submarines are also being built in India under a technology transfer agreement with France.
The approval of these deals is a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities. The Rafale M fighters will give the Indian Navy a much-needed boost in air power, while the Scorpene submarines will strengthen the Navy’s ability to operate in the Indian Ocean.
The deals are also a sign of the close defence ties between India and France. The two countries have been cooperating in the defence sector for many years, and this latest agreement is a further step in strengthening that cooperation.
The approval of these deals comes at a time when India is facing growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The acquisition of the Rafale M fighters and the Scorpene submarines will help India to meet those challenges and to maintain its security in the region.
The Rafale M fighters will give the Indian Navy a much-needed boost in air power. The jets are equipped with a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and anti-submarine weapons. They will also be able to carry out electronic warfare missions.
The Scorpene submarines are also a significant addition to the Indian Navy’s fleet. The submarines are equipped with a variety of weapons, including torpedoes, mines, and cruise missiles. They will also be able to carry out surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions.
The deals will boost the Indian defense industry. The Rafale M fighters will be assembled in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), while the Scorpene submarines will be built by Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL). This will help to create jobs and to transfer technology to the Indian defense industry.
The approval of these deals is a significant development in India’s defense capabilities. The Rafale M fighters and the Scorpene submarines will help India to meet the security challenges of the 21st century.