New Delhi: With increasing focus on maritime strength, Indian Navy is set to get a massive boost to the counry’s maritime defence as the government moves closer to finalising a major defence deal with France.
The agreement, expected to be signed by January 2025, includes the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M naval fighter jets and the construction of three additional Scorpene-class submarines. This strategic partnership aims to enhance India’s maritime prowess and address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, had told the media ahead of Navy Day marked on December 4, that the defence agreement with France is in its final stages. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernise its naval fleet and maintain strategic balance in the Indian Ocean.
The Rafale-M, a naval variant of the highly capable Rafale fighter jet, is designed specifically for maritime operations. These aircraft will be deployed on India’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, enhancing the nation’s ability to project power across vast oceanic expanses. The Rafale-M boasts impressive capabilities, including
a reinforced structure for carrier operations, specialised landing gear for catapult launches and deck landings, two Snecma M88-2 engines enabling speeds over Mach 1.8, a combat radius exceeding 1,850 km, advanced weaponry such as Meteor air-to-air missiles and SCALP-EG cruise missiles and addition of these 26 Rafale-M jets will complement India’s existing fleet of 36 Rafale fighters, which were acquired for the Indian Air Force between 2019 and 2022. This expansion of India’s Rafale inventory underscores the aircraft’s effectiveness and versatility in meeting the country’s defence needs.
In addition to bolstering its air power, India is set to enhance its submarine force with three new Scorpene-class vessels. These submarines, built locally at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, represent a continuation of India’s successful P75 program in collaboration with Naval Group. The Scorpene submarines offer several advantages which include Diesel-electric propulsion with MESMA air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, extended underwater endurance and enhanced stealth capabilities, six NATO-standard 533 mm torpedo tubes ability to deploy heavy torpedoes, SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, or mines, advanced SUBTICS combat systems and Thales S-Cube sonar for superior detection and defence.
The decision to acquire additional Scorpene submarines aligns with India’s strategy to counter evolving maritime threats in the Indo-Pacific region. This move is particularly significant given the increasing naval activities of China and Pakistan in the area.
The impending deal with France carries profound implications for India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific. As China continues its maritime expansion and Pakistan enhances its naval capabilities, India’s acquisition of advanced fighter jets and submarines serves as a powerful deterrent.
Beyond the immediate military benefits, the deal with France signifies a deepening of strategic ties between New Delhi and Paris. This partnership extends to industrial cooperation and technology transfer, fostering India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
This industrial cooperation mirrors similar partnerships in other countries, such as Naval Group’s potential contract with the Dutch Royal Navy, highlighting the global nature of defence collaborations.
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