France has submitted the final price offer to India for the 26 Rafale Marine Jet deal, just prior to the scheduled visit of Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to the country.
According to defense sources, the French government has submitted the most comprehensive and final price offer to the Indian authorities for the project. Following extensive negotiations, a substantial price reduction has been granted in the proposed contract.
India and France are currently in the process of negotiating a deal to acquire 26 Rafale Marine jets. These jets will be stationed at various bases and the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.
Additionally, negotiations were conducted between the two parties last week, during which a French delegation was in the national capital to conclude discussions with India.
The Indian NSA is scheduled to meet with his French counterparts in Paris tomorrow, and the deal is expected to be discussed during the India-France Strategic Dialogue.
For the Indian Navy, the agreement is crucial as it seeks to enhance its maritime strike capability.
India has also authorized deviations in the letter of request, which serves as the tender document equivalent in government-to-government transactions. For instance, the Indian Navy’s jets are equipped with the indigenous Uttam radar.
It was reported by sources that the French side would have been required to pay a substantial price for the integration, which would have taken approximately eight years.
Additionally, India requested that France incorporate indigenous weapons into the aircraft. This encompasses the Rudram anti-radiation missiles and the Astra beyond visual range missiles.
The sources also stated that the price of the deal has been determined by the agreements regarding the rate of inflation to be considered. The previous deal for 36 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force will serve as the basis for the calculation.RafaleJets
In addition, the naval deal will encompass approximately 40 drop tanks and a limited number of workstations for the aircraft, which are some of the requirements of the Indian Air Force.
The Indian side will also receive an increased quantity of long-range air-to-air Meteor missiles, and the anti-ship weaponry component of this project is expected to be finalized by the end of this fiscal year.
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