Defense Ministry approves proposal to buy 26 Rafale, 3 Scorpene submarines from France

New Delhi: The Defense Ministry on Thursday approved a plan for the Indian Navy to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France. Defense officials told ANI that the proposals were approved at the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, which was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan and chiefs and senior officers of the three services.

Sources said the deals, which have been given the necessary approval by the DAC, are likely to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France. PM Modi left for a two-day visit to France on Thursday morning. As per the proposals, the Indian Navy will get 22 single-seated Rafale seaplanes along with four trainer aircraft.

The Navy has been pressing for immediate acquisition of these fighter jets and submarines as the force is facing shortage in the wake of security challenges across the country. The aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant are operating MiG-29s and Rafale is required for operations on both carriers.

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Meanwhile, three Scorpene-class submarines will be acquired by the Navy under the repeat clause as part of Project 75 and will be built at Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai.

These deals are estimated to be worth over Rs 90,000 crore but the final cost will be clear only after the completion of contract negotiations which will be held after the announcement of the deal. Sources said India may seek price concessions in the deal and will push for having more ‘Make-in-India’ content in the plan.

Industry sources said India and France are expected to form a joint team for negotiations for the Rafale-Marine deal as was done for the previous Rafale deal of 36 fighter jets.

The deal will be negotiated and only then will it be finalized and implemented by both the parties.