National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will pay a two-day visit to France starting Monday. Defense officials told India Today TV that the Rafale deal would be one of the main agenda items during his meeting with key local officials.
They said the meeting took place shortly after France submitted its final detailed offer for the Rafale deal during negotiations in New Delhi. India hopes to conclude negotiations and finalize the contract by the end of this fiscal year.
This project is very important for the Indian Navy’s fighter fleet and complements the existing Russian-made MiG-29K fighter jets. If the deal goes through, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale Marine jets will replace currently deployed MiG-29s, marking India’s second purchase of fighter jets from the French defense manufacturer in recent years.
The purchase includes 22 single-seat Rafale Marine aircraft and four two-seat training aircraft. The procurement talks come at a time when the Indian Navy is facing a shortage of aircraft and submarines, underscoring the urgency of meeting its needs.
India’s Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the purchase, paving the way for a major enhancement of India’s naval arsenal. India and France have been in talks to strengthen the “Make in India” element of the existing order as India looks to grow its aircraft manufacturing industry.