Rafale-M Jets For India: French Navy Sweetens The Deal, To Send Own Rafales For Training

In the likely deal of 26 Rafale-M jets for the Indian Navy, France has also reportedly agreed to send two to four of their own Rafale-Ms to train Indian pilots.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to France (13 July-14 July) to participate in the celebrations of the French National Day and attend Bastille Day military parade as a guest of honour.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet French President Emmanuel Macron where the signing of the deals for 26 Rafale-Ms and three scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy, could likely be announced.

The Defence Acquisition Council, on 12 July, approved the acceptance of necessity for acquiring 26 Rafale-Ms and three scorpene submarines.

According to a report by ANI, the French Navy is willing to transfer two to four Rafale-Ms from their own inventory, six months after the date of contract signing, to India for training the Indian Navy pilots.

Notably, the first Indian Rafales will only be delivered after 36 months from the date of contract signing.

Under the contract the Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seater Rafale-Ms and four double-seater Rafale-Bs. The Navy will operate these jets from the indigenous aircraft carrier — INS Vikrant.

Subsequently, after the delivery of Indian Rafales and completion of training syllabus of pilots, the French Navy Rafale-Ms will be returned.

The 26 Rafale-Ms are estimated to cost €5.5 billion. However, the €5.5 billion price is not final, and further cost negotiations will take place after the likely announcement of the deal.

Moreover, under the deal a provision for establishing maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for various sub-systems will also be incorporated in the contract, after due negotiations.

Dassault, the manufacturer of Rafale, according to the report, will also collaborate with the Tata Group and multiple medium, small, and micro enterprises to manufacture some parts of their military offerings in India, to promote government of India's flagship Make-in-India programme.