A French navy Rafale (M). (Photo: French navy)
New Delhi: India is set to sign a landmark defence agreement with France for acquiring 26 Rafale (Marine) fighter jets and three Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy, the service chief revealed on Monday. The deal is estimated to be worth a total of around ₹90,000 crore (around $11 billion)
“Rafale (Marine) is at an advanced stage of negotiations and is only one level short of taking it to the Cabinet Committee on Security. Since it is a government-to-government deal, it should not take much time,” Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi stated during his annual news conference here in the national capital.
The procurement marks a significant strategic enhancement for the Navy. The deal includes 22 single-seat and four twin-seat Rafale (M) carrier-based multirole aircraft, specifically designed for naval operations and intended for deployment on the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The twin-seaters will play the role of trainers apart from being capable of warfighting. These jets are expected to significantly enhance India's maritime strike capabilities and air dominance in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
The Navy will place a repeat order for three additional Scorpene-class (Kalvari-class) submarines, expanding its existing fleet of six such vessels. These diesel-electric submarines, known as Kalvari-class, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) Shipyard in Mumbai in collaboration with France's Naval Group under the Project-75 programme. The new vessels are expected to include advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, co-developed with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), to enhance underwater endurance and capabilities.
Responding to questions about future naval capabilities, Adm Tripathi revealed that the development of two nuclear-powered submarines (SSN), which the government had recently approved, with the first expected to join the service in 2036-37, and the second to follow a couple of years later.
The Navy chief also disclosed ambitious expansion plans, stating that the Navy will commission 96 warships and submarines in the next decade. “As of now, 62 ships and one submarine are under construction, and we will induct one ship every month till next year,” he added.
In December alone, the Navy will commission two ships and a submarine: the guided missile destroyer Surat, the indigenous frigate Nilgiri, and Vagsheer, the last of the six Kalvari-class submarines.
The procurement of the 26 Rafale (M) warplanes and three additional Scorpene submarines, which includes significant transfer-of-technology provisions, is a continuation of India’s strong defence ties with France, following the earlier acquisition of 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force. The deals are expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing capabilities while ensuring high-quality naval assets.
Negotiations are ongoing to finalize pricing and terms, with India seeking competitive rates comparable to international procurements. The formal signing of these defence deals is anticipated shortly, marking another milestone in India’s ongoing military modernization efforts and reinforcing its strategic position in the IOR.
