New Delhi:
India will buy 26 Rafael M Fighter Jets – That is, marine variants- A record for the Navy is worth more than Rs 63,000 crore in the government-government deal, sources told NDTV on Tuesday.
This will be the first major fighter jet upgrade for the naval forces of the country. The procurement was first considered in July 2023, when the Ministry of Defense approached its French counterpart.
The deal will also include a comprehensive package for indigenous manufacturing of components under the maintenance of fleet, logistic support, personnel training and offset obligations.
Agreements will be signed at the end of this month, when French Defense Minister Sebastian Lacornu visit India. Sources said delivery is expected five years after the deal is confirmed.
Therefore, the fleet is unlikely to be fully involved before 2031.
Rafael M is widely considered one of the world’s most advanced naval fighter jets.
It is equipped with the reinforced landing gear of Safran groups – which is considered the best for carrier -contemporary aircraft – and also has folding wings, and also has a reinforced undercarrous to cope with harsh conditions, deck landing and telhanuk.
NDTV explains. Importance of Rafael Boost for Navy’s fleet
Jets-22 will be deployed on a single-seater and four twin-seater variants-INS Vikrant, primarily built, as India watches to strengthen the margin strike capabilities, given the need to keep an eye on Chinese activities in the maritime ocean region.
Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said in December, “We are making our strategy to” deny “any violation in our operations and” are ready to deal with the dangers with all the neighbors “.
The new Rafales of the Navy will also help to increase the capabilities of the Air Force, which involves upgrading the ‘big-big’ aerial fueling system, ie, which allows a jet to equip a fuel with a fuel filthy, to act as a fuel tanker for the other, which allows fighters to live longer.
The new Navy’s new Rafales will complement the existing fleet of MiG -29ks, which will probably continue to work with India’s second (and old) aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
The Navy is also planning to include indigenous, fifth-generation fighter jets that are being developed by the Defense Research and Development Institute, or DRDO.
NDTV exclusive | First see the futuristic variant of Tejas Fighter of India
These – twin -engine, deck – styled as based fighters – will be the advanced medium fighter aircraft being developed for the Air Force, or Navy counterparts of AMCA.
The Air Force operates 36 of the two locations in the north – ‘C’ version – ‘C’ version.
With input from agencies
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click the link To get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.