The Indian Navy’s ambitious plan to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighters has received the green light, and in preparation for the deal, the Navy is forming a negotiating team in collaboration with the defence ministry.
The proposed deal, estimated to cost over 5 billion Euros, will be subject to detailed discussions on the price and other purchase terms, taking into account India-specific requirements.
Sources in the defence and security establishment revealed that a senior Naval officer will lead the Indian negotiating team, while the French side will be represented by its defence ministry.
Since the French Navy exclusively operates the Rafale Marine, both sides will focus on tailoring the acquisition to India’s needs.
Key aspects to be negotiated include the integration of Indian-designed equipment, as well as the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) hub for various systems.
These crucial elements will be carefully incorporated into the contract documents during the negotiations.
It is worth noting that the formal deal will only be signed after the new government is sworn in next year, as the entire process requires considerable time.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the Naval project ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France.
The project involves procuring 22 Rafale Marine fighters and 4 trainer aircraft for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Though the proposed Rafale Marine deal was not explicitly mentioned in the joint statement issued after Modi’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister alluded to cooperation in the realm of naval fighters during his media interaction.
India’s defence partnership with France has significantly expanded, encompassing submarines to space collaborations.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), France has surpassed the US to become the second-largest supplier of arms to India between 2018 and 2022, with a remarkable 489% increase compared to the 2013–17 period.
This growing collaboration underscores France’s vital role as a defence partner for India.
