India and France are going to sign a major defence agreement worth Rs 63,000 crore for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. The deal, to be signed on Monday, is a major milestone in enhancing India’s naval power. The deal will be signed with officials from both the Indian Defence Ministry and the French Ambassador to India present.
Major Figures to Attend the Signing Ceremony
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will be expected to sign on behalf of India, while the Indian and French defence ministers will virtually join the ceremony. The ceremony will also see the signing of several government-to-business agreements that will further consolidate the strategic relationship between India and France in the defence arena.
Rafale Marine Jets for INS Vikrant
The 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets are in urgent need to boost India’s aircraft carrier operating capacity, especially the newly commissioned INS Vikrant. The new fleet of jets will retire the aging and underperforming MiG-29K fighters, which have had maintenance issues.
These Rafale M jets will be designed according to the unique requirements of India and fitted into the INS Vikrant. The acquisition of these jets is seen as an interim measure as India works towards creating an indigenous carrier-borne fighter aircraft.
Largest-Ever Defence Deal for Rafale Marine Fighters
On 9th April, this historic deal for 26 Rafale Marine fighters was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government-to-government deal comprises 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater versions of the jets, along with full maintenance packages, logistics support, and crew training.
These new Rafale M jets will add to the present fleet of MiG-29Ks and enhance operations on the INS Vikrant. The Indian Air Force currently has 36 Rafale aircraft, bought as part of an independent agreement inked in 2016, stationed at Ambala and Hasimara.
