Jay Menon
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: May 29, 2024 -
: 1:19 am
India and France are set to begin cost negotiations from May 30 for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy.
A French delegation comprising officials from the defence ministry, original equipment manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Thales are expected to arrive in New Delhi on May 29 for the first round of talks.
Last July, the Indian government had announced the selection of the Navy Rafale to equip the Indian Navy with a latest-generation fighter. The government-to-government contract, expected to cost around Euro 4 billion to Euro 5 billion, is likely to be signed during the current financial year, ending March 31, 2025, and the delivery of the aircraft is expected to begin three years after signing the contract, according to India’s defence ministry officials.,
Following an international competition launched by the Indian authorities, the decision came after a successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navy’s operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier. The fighters will be operated from India’s two aircraft carriers— INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
The Indian Navy’s 26 Rafale will eventually join the 36 Rafale already in service with the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and on the seas and guarantee its sovereignty.
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