India has cleared a mega deal to buy 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter aircraft from France, ANI has reported quoting government sources. The mega procurement project has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they said.
The government-to-government deal, worth over Rs 63,000 crore, is expected to be signed soon.
The Indian Navy will get 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft as part of the deal, sources added.
In July 2023, the defence ministry had approved the purchase of the Rafale-M jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
The 26 Rafale-M jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation, with "specific enhancements" to operate from the deck of indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, will be delivered in 37 to 65 months after inking of the contract.
The Rafale-M fighter jets are expected to boost the maritime prowess of India, helping it boost its strike capability amid the growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) .
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