The Indian Navy is on track to finalize deals worth Rs 90,000 crore for procuring 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft and three additional Scorpene submarines by next month. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi announced this during the annual Navy Day press conference held on Monday.
Admiral Tripathi stated, “The Indian Navy is hoping to sign the deals for Rafale Marine and three additional Scorpene submarines by next month.” The negotiations are currently underway with France for the acquisition of the Rafale Marine fighter jets and with the French Naval Group for the construction of the submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited.
The three new Scorpene submarines will enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy, complementing the six existing submarines already built by the dockyard. This initiative is part of the Project 75 India program, which aims to bolster India’s indigenous submarine capabilities.
In addition to the procurement discussions, Admiral Tripathi emphasized the Navy’s vigilance concerning the activities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) in the Indian Ocean Region. “We are keeping a close watch on the extra-regional forces operating in the Indian sea, including the PLA Navy, their warships, and even their research vessels,” he stated.
The Naval Chief highlighted the increasing Chinese naval presence in the Pacific Ocean but reassured that the Indian Navy remains committed to safeguarding India’s interests in the Indian Ocean region. “Our reading is that it will manifest more in the Pacific Ocean, and we are keeping a watch to ensure that our interests in the Indian Ocean region are not affected,” he added.
Furthermore, Admiral Tripathi confirmed the successful launch of a nuclear-capable missile from the INS Arighaat, underscoring the Navy’s ongoing advancements in strategic capabilities.
