New Delhi: The stage is set for India to sign a deal with France for procurement of 26 Marine versions of Rafale fighter planes and 3 Scorpene submarines during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which began today.
As Modi landed in Paris, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, met here today and approved three proposals, including the Rafale fighter deal and Scorpene submarine agreement.
“The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA),” Defence Ministry spokesman said in a statement.
The price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries, he added.
Further, integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations, the spokesman said.
India has already purchased 36 Rafale fighter planes from France under IGA announced in 2015, boosting the country’s defence capabilities.
Procurement of 26 Naval versions of the fighter plane would add more teeth to India’s defence capabilities in the marine sphere.
The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of 3 additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), the spokesman said.
The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector, he said.
It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction, the spokesman added.
These agreements are to be signed during the visit of Modi, who will hold detailed talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and attend French National Day called Bastille Day celebrations in Paris tomorrow.
In addition, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases, the spokesman said, adding it will help in achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms/equipment through indigenous manufacturing.
