India and France are finalizing two major defense deals worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore, focusing on the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines. These deals come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris for the AI Action Summit, which India will co-chair with France.
Rs 63,000 Crore Deal for Rafale-M Jets Awaiting Approval
The deal for the acquisition of 26 single-seat Rafale-M fighters, along with four twin-seat trainer jets for the Indian Navy, is valued at Rs 63,000 crore. According to government officials, the deal is awaiting approval from the Cabinet Committee for Security (CCS). The final clearance is expected once the inter-ministerial discussions are concluded. As per a government source, “CCS will take up the Rafale-M deal after the PM returns from the France-US trip.”
This significant deal also includes the provision of weapons, simulators, crew training, and five years of performance-based logistics support. The deal aims to strengthen India’s naval capabilities with cutting-edge French technology.
Scorpene Submarines Deal to Move Forward
In addition to the Rafale-M fighter jets, India and France are also close to finalizing a deal worth Rs 33,500 crore to build three additional diesel-electric Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks (MDL) in Mumbai. This project will be carried out in collaboration with France’s Naval Group, which has previously worked on the construction of Scorpene submarines for India.
The deal for the submarines has taken longer to negotiate due to initial pricing issues. The source explained, “The cost negotiations for Scorpenes took a little longer because MDL had originally quoted a high price. The aim is to ink both deals before this fiscal ends on March 31.”
Once the deal is signed, the first of the three submarines will be rolled out six years later, with the subsequent two following at yearly intervals. The deal excludes DRDO’s air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which is designed to enhance underwater endurance.
Bilateral Talks and Future Collaborations
In parallel with these defense deals, India and France are also in discussions to collaborate on developing a 110-kilometer jet engine for India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter project. French company Safran and India’s DRDO are expected to work together on this project, further strengthening the defense ties between the two countries.
During his visit to Paris, Prime Minister Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron, who welcomed him warmly with a hug at a dinner ahead of the AI Action Summit. Modi also met US Vice President JD Vance, who is in France for the summit. The discussions are set to focus on advancing artificial intelligence, with Modi and Macron co-chairing the AI Action Summit in Paris.
This series of high-profile meetings and defense deals underscores the deepening strategic and defense ties between India and France, further enhancing bilateral relations and security cooperation.
