India and France are finalizing the details of two major defense deals for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines, with a combined value of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore.
This progress coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris for the AI Action Summit, which India will co-chair with France.
How does the deal appear?
Government officials informed The Times of India that the ₹63,000 crore deal for single-seat Rafale-M fighters, along with four twin-seat trainers for the Navy, is awaiting final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
After inter-ministerial discussions, the ₹33,500 crore project to construct three additional diesel-electric Scorpene submarines in partnership with France’s Naval Group at Mazagon Docks (MDL) is likely to proceed for CCS approval.
“CCS will take up the Rafale-M deal after the PM returns from the France-US trip. 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,” a government source told the news outlet.
The two governments are also exploring opportunities for collaboration between France’s Safran and India’s DRDO to co-develop the 110-kilometre jet engine for India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter project.
Meanwhile, the Rafael-M deal encompasses weapons, simulators, crew training, and five years of performance-based logistics support.
Mazagon Docks (MDL) will deliver the first of three new Scorpene submarines six years after the contract is finalized, with the remaining two being commissioned annually. The agreement currently does not include the integration of DRDO’s fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which is intended to enhance underwater endurance.
Meeting between PM Modi and President Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron warmly embraced Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a welcome dinner before they co-chaired the AI Summit in Paris.
“Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris,” Modi shared a post on X on Monday.
During the dinner, the Prime Minister also met with US Vice President JD Vance, who is in France for the AI Summit.
As part of his three-day visit to France, Modi will co-chair the AI Action Summit in Paris alongside Macron, engage in bilateral discussions with him, and address business leaders.
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