Context:
India is to sign four mega defence deals worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore before the fiscal ends on March 31.
- Rafale-Marine fighter jets
- The first deal is a Rs 63,000 crore contract with France for the direct acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets.
- It includes 22 single-seat maritime jets, four twin-seat trainers for the Navy, weapons, simulators, crew training, and five-year performance-based logistics support.
- Scorpene diesel-electric submarines.
- Another major deal with France is a Rs 38,000 crore one for three additional Scorpene diesel-electric submarines.
- These deals are expected to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the end of the fiscal.
- HAL Prachand and ATAGS
- The other two mega deals are for 156 indigenous Prachand light combat helicopters and 307 indigenous advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS).
- The HAL Prachand is an Indian multi-role light attack helicopter, designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under Project Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
- The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
- The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is a towed 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer that is being developed for the Indian Army by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL).
