India and France are close to signing a deal for Rafale maritime fighter jets required by Indian aircraft carriers, with both sides likely to make final bids for the acquisition. Sources said that after several rounds of talks in the Defense Ministry, the final price offer for the deal has been significantly reduced and the deal will be benchmarked on the 2016 deal in which 36 Rafale jets were purchased for the Air Force.
Discussion will be held during Doval's Paris visit
The acquisition, which has been going on for more than three years, is also likely to be discussed during National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's visit to Paris this week. The naval combat acquisition as well as the order for three additional Kalvari class submarines in Mumbai are the two major defense deals to be signed with France.
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Navy will buy 26 fighter aircraft
The Navy needs 26 fighter aircraft, which it can install on its ships. The Navy has tested both the Boeing F/A 18 Super Hornet and the Rafale M. However, after trials, on technical grounds, the Navy chose the Rafale M for its ships.
Discussion on final deal between India and France
Discussions have been going on between India and France for more than a year regarding the final agreement on the contract. This deal is being prepared as per the standards and rules of the governments of both the countries. Same was the case with the previous acquisition of Rafale jets for the Air Force.
What will be their specialty?
Sources said the Navy jets, along with the Air Force fleet, will be equipped with specialized anti-ship weapons and long-range fuel tanks for operations at sea. They will also get Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, the most advanced to date in the field.
Some amendments approved in defense deal
Earlier, the Rajnath Singh-led Defense Acquisition Council had approved some amendments, leading to the final bid offer. One of them was to abandon the previous plan to integrate Indian radar and weapons on naval jets. The plans were abandoned due to the high costs involved in replacing the radar and, more importantly, the estimated eight-year time frame to complete the integration. Rafale M is one of the indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighters being procured by the Aeronautical Development Agency.
