India today signed a defence deal with France to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircrafts. The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) was signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu in New Delhi. Out of 26 Rafale Marine aircrafts, 22 will be single seater and four double seater and these will be designed and prepared as per the requirement of the Indian Navy. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030.
The agreement includes training, a simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force. The agreement will facilitate the transfer of technology for the integration of indigenous weapons in the country and the setting up of production facilities for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi. With the induction of Rafale Marine aircrafts, the strength of the Navy will increase manifold and these fighter aircraft will be deployed in aircraft carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. Rafale will be equipped with advanced weapon systems and missiles. Manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environments.
