Indian Navy Set To Get 26 Rafale-M And Three Scorpene Submarines As Defence Ministry Approves Procurement Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit To France

In a major move, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has cleared the procurement of 26 Dassault Rafale-M fighters and three additional Scorpene-class submarines ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to France.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled for a two-day visit to France from July 13-14 to attend the Bastille Day military parade as a guest of honor.

According to Livefist, the signing of the deal could be announced during PM Modi's visit.

The twenty six Rafale-M fighters will be operated from the Indian Navy's Made-in-India aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which got commissioned in September, last year.

The Indian Navy last year conducted flight trials of both the American-made Boeing F-18 super hornet block-III and French Dassault Rafale-M, from the shore-based test facility in Goa.

According to reports, the Indian Navy selected Rafale-M as the prefered candidate.

The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Dassault Rafales, the deal for which was also announced when PM Modi visited France, in 2016.

Apart from the twenty six Rafale-M's, the DPB also cleared the acquisition of three additional scorpene class submarines, to add to the six scorpene already in operation with the Indian Navy.

These three scorpene class submarines will have Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed air independent module installed on them.