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India to get 26 Rafale M jets
Deal likely to be sealed next month: Navy chief
New Delhi: Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Monday said that India is in the advanced stage of negotiations with France to procure 26 Marine combat aircraft deal.
While speaking at the annual Navy Day press conference, Tripathi said that the negotiations are one level short to the Cabinet Committee on Security and are likely to be sealed next month. "Rafale Marine is at an advanced stage of negotiations and is only one level short of taking it to the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Since it is a government-to-government deal, it should not take much time," Tripathi said. After several rounds of negotiations, the price offer has been significantly reduced, and the deal will be benchmarked on the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale jets acquired for the Indian Air Force.
This deal is crucial for the Indian Navy as it aims to enhance its maritime strike capability. India has approved modifications in the letter of request, including integrating the indigenous Uttam radar in the jets. Although integration may take about eight years and be costly, it has been a point of negotiation.
India had also requested France to integrate indigenous weapons on the plane, including the Astra beyond visual range missiles and the Rudram anti-radiation missiles. The deal’s price is based on previous agreements, such as the rate of inflation, and the past deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.
The Indian side will also receive a larger number of long-range air-to-air Meteor missiles and anti-ship weaponry in this project, which is planned to be concluded before the end of this financial year. Some of the Indian Air Force requirements have also been incorporated in the naval deal, including around 40 drop tanks and a small number of work stations for the planes.
Notably, the naval version of the jet is a bit different from the ones India has procured for its Air Force. While both Rafales are identical, the maritime version features a longer, more strengthened nose and reinforced undercarriage. Both are multirole fighter jets.
During the meeting, Tripathi also reacted to reports on ongoing upgrade of Pakistan navy and said that the country has chosen weapons over welfare of their people. Tripathi asserted that Indian Navy is ready to deal with any possible threat from neighbouring countries.
“We are aware of the surprising growth of the Pakistan navy which aims to become a 50-ship Navy. They have chosen weapons over the welfare of their people.” Tripathi said.
