The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the procurement of 26 RAFALE Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy.
The CCS approval means that a formal contract for the carrier-borne fighter aircraft is imminent, with various estimates pegging the deal value at Rupees 63 billion (approx US$ 7.4 billion). 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat Rafale-Ms will be procured, though additional orders are likely in future.
The aircraft will be acquired via a G2G deal with the French Government and adds to 36 Rafale aircraft already ordered and operational with the Air Force.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) had earlier also stated a Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Hub would be established in India as part of the deal, to support various systems on the aircraft. There will also be some Indian designed equipment integrated on the aircraft.
The MoD had originally released a Request for Information for procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) for the Navy in January 2017. At present, Indian Naval Aviation operates approximately 40 MiG-29K fighter jets. The Navy had placed orders for a total of 45 aircraft in 2004 and 2010.
(Image Credit: Dassault Aviation – C. Cosmao)
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