Deal For 26 Rafale-M Jets And Three Scorpene Submarines Likely To Be Signed During PM Modi's France Visit: Report

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) will likely convene on 13 July to give a go-ahead for procurement of 26 Rafale-M jets and three scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France.

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

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the DAC headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will meet on 13 July to give acceptance of necessity for acquiring 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for INS Vikrant, and three scorpene-class submarines.

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

It must to be noted that, the Indian Navy already operates six scorpene class submarines, which are known as Kalvari-class submarines, the last of which — INS Vagheer — is currently undergoing trials.

Rafale-M jets, on the other hand, will be bought for use on the Made-in-India aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which got commissioned in September, last year.

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

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

The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 36 Dassault Rafales, three of which will also take part in the fly-past over the Champs-Elysees in Paris, along with their French counterparts, as part of a tri-service contingent which will take part in the military parade.

Apart from the IAF's three Rafales, INS Chennai, a Kolkata class destroyer, will be deployed to take part in the celebrations at Brest in France, from 12 July to 16 July.

A tri-service marching contingent will also take part in the parade.