Defense Ministry approves proposal to buy 26 Rafales, 3 Scorpene submarines from France

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France to attend Bastille Day parade as Guest of Honor. Defense Ministry approved proposal to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft, 3 Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy from France. The proposal was approved by Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, three services chiefs and seniors also attended the meeting. As per proposals, Indian Navy is likely to get 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft. The three Scorpene class submarines would be acquired under the repeated clause by Navy as part of Project 75. Notably, deals are estimated to be worth over Rs 90,000 crore but the final cost would be clear only after contract negotiations. The deals, which have been accorded Acceptance of Necessity by DAC, are likely to be announced during PM Modi’s visit to France. The Indian Navy has been pressing for acquiring these fighter aircraft and submarines urgently. The aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya, Vikrant have been operating the MiG-29s and need the Rafales for operations on both carriers. India is likely to seek price concessions in deal and would be insisting on having more `Make-in-India` content in the plan.