India and France in talks for Rs 50,000 Crore deal on 26 Rafale Fighter Jets for Indian Navy
These new aircraft are intended to operate from Indian Navy aircraft carriers such as INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, with plans for their home base at INS Degha
India and France are currently engaged in discussions regarding a significant defence deal involving the purchase of 26 Rafale Fighter Jets for the Indian Navy. The negotiations, which were initially scheduled for late May but postponed due to administrative reasons, are now underway in New Delhi.
The talks involve officials from the French Directorate General of Armament, responsible for overseeing the sale of Rafale jets to India, and counterparts from India’s Ministry of Defence. These government-to-government negotiations primarily focus on determining the final price and resolving other contractual details.
The proposed deal, estimated to exceed Rs 50,000 crore, aims to augment India’s existing fleet of 36 Rafale jets in the Indian Air Force. These new aircraft are intended to operate from Indian Navy aircraft carriers such as INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, with plans for their home base at INS Degha in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Last year, France responded to India’s tender for these jets, tailored for deployment on Indian aircraft carriers. Following this, India meticulously evaluated France’s bid, including the commercial offer and contract specifics.
The swift progression of discussions underscores the urgency of equipping Indian carriers with these advanced aircraft, thereby enhancing India’s strategic capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
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