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Context:
Two major defence agreements with France, worth ~$11 billion, are awaiting final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Deals include:
- 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
- Three additional Scorpene-class submarines under Project-75.
Rafale-M Fighter Jet Deal
- Status
- All formalities and negotiations completed; pending CCS approval.
- Expected to be finalized in April 2025 during the French Defence Minister’s visit to India.
- Specifications
- 22 single-seater Rafale-M (carrier-compatible).
- 4 twin-seater Rafale trainers (not carrier-compatible).
- Purpose
- To bridge the fighter jet gap for aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
- Temporary measure until indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is ready.
- Delivery Timeline
- Begins four years after contract signing (estimated from 2029).
- Upcoming Evaluation
- The Indian Navy will assess Rafale-M performance on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which will participate in the Varuna naval exercise in Goa.
Scorpene-Class Submarine Deal
- Status
- Follow-up to the original six-Scorpene submarine deal between France’s Naval Group and India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL).
- CCS approval awaited; likely conclusion in April 2025.
- Purpose
- Strengthen India’s submarine fleet amid regional security concerns.
Budget & Financial Considerations
- The Navy seeks to finalize both deals within this financial year (FY 2024-25) to include them in the current Budget.
- Given the government-to-government nature of the deal, allocated funds can be rolled over to the next fiscal year.
Additional Procurement & Future Plans
- India is also acquiring the MQ-9B drone from the U.S. for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance.
- If the Scorpene deal is signed in April, deliveries are expected to begin by 2029.