2023-07-13 20:26:31
India gave its agreement in principle this Thursday, July 13 for the purchase from France of 26 Rafale fighter planes, in the Navy version for aircraft carriers, and three Scorpène submarines, during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris, guest of honor for the national holiday on July 14.
India’s Defense Acquisition Board has approved the purchase proposals, India’s defense ministry said in a statement, adding that the price and other terms are yet to be negotiated with the French government.
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Discussions regarding these long-awaited agreements will take into account “all important aspects, including the purchase price of similar aircraft from other countries” underlines the press release.
India, one of the biggest customers of the French defense industry
Dassault Aviation’s Rafale Navy version are intended for the first Indian-made aircraft carrier, baptized INS Vikrant and commissioned last year. India had already purchased six Scorpene submarines, designed by Naval Group.
The three additional submarines will be manufactured “with more Indian content” by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, near Bombay, “creating significant employment opportunities” premises, the statement continued.
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New Delhi, which has reinforced its military arsenal to upgrade mostly post-Soviet equipment, is one of the biggest customers of the French defense industry. India had already ordered 36 Rafale jets during a visit by Narendra Modi to Paris in 2015.
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