India is buying more Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines from France. Indian defense ministry gave the approval to purchase 26 Rafale jets for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines.
Indian ministry approved it ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Modi reached Paris on a two-day visit on Thursday to deepen ties with New Delhi’s oldest strategic partner in the West. The visit aims at making high-profile defence deals and a new joint plan to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council, the apex body for military capital procurements, granted the approvals earlier in the day.
According to the media reports, the deal will cover the purchase of 26 Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets and submarines. Submarines will be built by India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and France’s Naval Group.
The total value of these deals is expected to be around 800 billion rupees ($9.75 billion).
Modi reaches France
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to France, where he will attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade as the guest of honor.
The visit aims to discuss major new defense deals and deepen ties between India and Western democracies, driven by mutual concerns about China.
Despite differences over human rights issues in India, New Delhi, and Western nations are strengthening their relationship.
An aide to French President Emmanuel Macron stated that “India is one of the pillars of our Indo-Pacific strategy.”
Macron has designated Modi as the guest of honor for the July 14 military parade, which marks the national day of France.
Both countries are negotiating defense deals and they will sign agreements during the current visit of Modi to France.
