The official response from the French government has been submitted in connection to India's tender for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine jets. This comprehensive bid encompasses the terms, conditions, and pricing of the proposed deal, specifically tailored for the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, as disclosed by sources within the Defence Ministry.
Estimated at approximately Rs 50,000 crore, this potential agreement is a significant development in India's pursuit of enhancing its naval capabilities. Following the Defence Acquisitions Council's (DAC) approval, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy, the Ministry of Defence announced that the DAC had granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). This approval extends to the procurement of the Rafale-Marine jets, along with associated equipment, weapons, simulators, spares, documentation, crew training, and logistic support, all to be acquired from the French government through an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).
A team of officials from the French government, specializing in military sales to foreign nations, has arrived in New Delhi to participate in the bidding process for the Indian tender. The submitted bid responds to India's Letter of Acceptance (LoA), marking a pivotal step in the negotiations.
The Ministry clarified that subsequent negotiations with the French government will determine the final price and other terms of the purchase. These negotiations will consider various factors, including the comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries. The contract documents will also incorporate the integration of Indian-designed equipment and the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) hub for various systems.
Earlier, the Indian Defence Ministry issued a detailed Letter of Request (LoR) to the French Directorate General of Armaments for the proposed deal, outlining the acquisition of 22 single-seat jets and four twin-seat trainers, in addition to weapons, simulators, spares, crew training, and logistics support.
Upon the completion of cost negotiations and the final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security, the contract is expected to be signed, initiating the delivery phase within the next three years. This development is crucial for the Indian Navy, which is urgently addressing shortages in aircraft and submarines to bolster its capabilities, particularly in the context of security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
While the deals are anticipated to be of substantial value, the exact cost will only be determined post-contract negotiations. Additionally, sources suggest that India may seek concessions in the pricing and emphasize a greater focus on 'Make In India' content within the agreement.
(With Agency Inputs)
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