Rafales, Scorpenes and jet engine development on the agenda of PM’s France trip

Source: The post is based on the article “Rafales, Scorpenes and jet engine development on the agenda of PM’s France trip’ published in The Hindu on 11th July 2023

What is the News?

The Indian Prime Minister will be visiting France as Chief Guest at the Bastille Day parade.

What will be the key defence deals that are expected to be signed between India and France?

Rafale M Aircraft: India is planning to buy 26 Rafale M Aircrafts from France.They are intended for deployment on the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, which currently employ the MiG-29. 

Three Scorpène-class submarines: Scorpene are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines jointly developed by the French Naval Group and the Spanish company Navantia under Project 75.They are being built at Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai.

Five of Scorpene submarines have been commissioned and the sixth one is expected to be commissioned early next year.

However, the ageing submarine fleet and delay in the procurement of new submarines under P-75I meant the Navy has to procure three follow-on submarines to arrest the depleting fleet.

Hence, that’s why the Indian Navy is now planning to buy Three additional Scorpene class submarines under the repeat clause where they would be built in the Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai.

Aircraft engine: India is planning to sign a pact with France for the co-development of fighter jets to power India’s futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet.

The AMCA will be the cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s manned tactical fleet within the next decade.