The Union Government announced on Saturday that it has selected 26 new Dassault Rafale jets to equip the Indian Navy.According to French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation – the makers of the Rafale jets – the 26 advanced combat jets will complement the 36 Rafale jets that were delivered last year.LInde sélectionne le Rafale Marine https://t.co/iJb6Ux2OnjIndia selects the Navy Rafale https://t.co/rxWTouCBEA#DassaultAviation pic.twitter.com/B3FqHxI4Cd— Dassault Aviation (@Dassault_OnAir) July 14, 2023“This decision comes after a successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navys operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier,” Dassault Aviation said in a statement on their website.“This selection confirms the excellence of the Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link between Dassault Aviation and the Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France.”The new Rafale jets that will be delivered to India contains modifications made specifically for the Indian Navy, such as a potent optical suite that can detect stealth aircraft, and most importantly, the ability to launch nuclear weapons.“Rafale M fighter jets will boost Indian Navys capabilities vastly. It will allow Indian Navy to increase its influence from the Horn of Africa to Indo-Pacific region,” defence expert Major General PK Sehgal told PTI.VIDEO | Rafale M fighter jets will boost Indian Navys capabilities vastly. It will allow Indian Navy to increase its influence from the Horn of Africa to Indo-Pacific region, says defence expert Major General (retd) PK Sehgal on Indias deal to buy 26 Rafale M jets from… pic.twitter.com/UqFwobdnOB— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2023Defence Minister gets approval for Rafale jets price to be negotiatedThe Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Defence Ministry, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to the Indian Navy on Thursday to procure the 26 new Rafale jets from France.Three additional Scorpene-class submarines are also scheduled for purchase, and they will be constructed by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).The AoN for the Rafale jets comprises associated military equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government, based on the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the two countries.The statement announced that the price of the entire purchase will be worked out with the French government after taking into account the market factors.India is one of the biggest buyers of weapons from France and is among only seven countries in the world who have or are slated to have Dassault Rafale jets.
