Acquisition Of Rafale-M, Jet-Engines And Submarines On Cards As French President's Diplomatic Advisor Visits India

French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, will arrive in India today (6 July) for a one-day visit.

The aim is to finalise and fine-tune details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming two-day visit to France.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit France from 13 July to 14 July, where he will attend the Bastille Day military parade in Paris on 14 July as the guest of honour.

The Prime Minister will also meet President Macron and will discuss increasing co-operation and strengthening strategic ties between the two countries.

Three Indian Air Force's French-made Rafale fighter jets will also take part in the Bastille Day parade and will perform a flypast over the Champs-Elysees in Paris, along with their French counterparts.

Bonne, on the other hand, will meet India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

According to a report by ET, Bonne is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi before departing for France, the same night.

These two advisors will fine-tune details of the Prime Minister's visit and will discuss potential big-ticket deals.

The deals include the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighters, additional Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy and co-development and production of a new-generation high-thrust jet engine for India's in-development advanced medium combat aircraft.

According to reports, French engine-maker Safran, which also makes turboshaft engines for indigenous advanced light helicopter-Dhruv, light combat and light utility helicopters, has agreed to provide 100 per cent transfer of technology and full ownership of intellectual property rights of the new high-thrust jet engine.

Earlier, on the sidelines of Aero India 2023, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran signed an agreement to develop turboshaft engines for the Indian multi-role helicopter and deck-based multi-role helicopters.

Another potential deal on the cards is the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighters for the Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy, according to various sources, has recommended the acquisition of Rafale-M for the newly-inducted indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

India is also discussing buying two more Scorpene-class submarines from the French submarine company Naval Group, to supplement the Indian Navy's existing fleet of six Scorpene-class submarines (Kalvari-class).

Naval Group is also helping in the integration of Defence Research and Development Organisation built air-independent propulsion system on Kalvari class submarines, during the first mid-life refit of the submarines.