India, France conclude inter-governmental agreement for 26 Rafale-M jets for Navy | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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India, France conclude inter-governmental agreement for 26 Rafale-M jets for Navy

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India-France Rafale-M Procurement Agreement

India and France have concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) valued at nearly ₹64,000 crore to procure 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The agreement includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons, and Performance-Based Logistics, with deliveries beginning mid-2028 and completing by 2030.

Key Components of the Agreement

  • Inclusion of training, simulator, and weapons.
  • Performance-Based Logistics.
  • Additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force.
  • Transfer of Technology for integrating indigenous weapons such as Astra Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile on Rafales.
  • Establishment of production facility for Rafale Fuselage and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India.

Economic and Strategic Impact

  • Generation of thousands of jobs and revenue for MSMEs.
  • Substantial enhancement of joint operational capability between the Navy and IAF.
  • Optimization of training and logistics for the aircraft.

Operational Details

  • Deliveries to begin 37 months from the contract date, completed in 66 months.
  • 22 single-seater carrier-compatible jets and 4 twin-seater trainer jets not carrier-compatible.

Additional Procurement

India will also receive 31 MQ-9B armed High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from the U.S. under a $3.5 billion deal, with 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and IAF. 

  • Tags :
  • India-France
  • rafale
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