• Source:ANI
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JE News Desk: India is likely to sign a deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France. The major deal is expected to be confirmed during PM Narendra Modi's visit to France scheduled between July 14 and 16.

The proposals to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and other weapons were placed before the Defence Ministry by the defence forces earlier, reported news agency ANI.

Reportedly, the deals, worth approximately Rs 90,000 crore, will include 26 Rafale M aircraft, consisting of 22 single-seater and four double-seater trainer versions. According to top government sources, the three additional submarines will be part of the Scorpene deal under Project 7 where they would be built in the Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai.

The Navy had been pressing for acquiring these fighter aircraft and submarines urgently as they have been facing shortages in view of the security challenges around the country.

The aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant have been operating the MiG-29s and need the Rafales for operations on both carriers.

India is likely to seek price concessions in the deal and would be insisting on having more 'Make-in-India' content in the plan, sources said.

The proposals have been discussed in the defence ministry at high-level meetings already and are likely to be placed before the defence acquisition council in the next few days and expected to be accorded Acceptance of Necessity by the government before the announcement in France.

About PM Modi's Visit France Visit:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the chief guest at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris, France, on July 14. Alongside him, a contingent of the Indian military will participate in the parade, including troops from the Indian Army's Punjab Regiment, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force. Today, Indian Rafale jets reached Paris and received a welcome from France's Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain.

(With Agency Inputs)