Indian Navy expected to sign contract with France's Dassault Aviation for 'Rafale Marine' for INS Vikrant
06 Jan 2023 17:13:53
Paris, Jan 6: In yet another development, it is expected that India Navy sign a contract with French defence manufacturers Dassault Aviation for 'Rafale Marine'. The contract is expected to be signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to New Delhi in March 2023.
Dassault Aviation is certain to land a new contract in 2023 with New Delhi most likely to confirm the acquisition of Rafale Marine from the French aircraft manufacturer during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India scheduled for March 2023. The precise date of French President's trip would not yet be decided. A contract is expected to be signed quite soon after the announcement. It is noteworthy that the news comes when in 2023, India and France are celebrating 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
The Indian Navy, which eliminated Boeing’s F-18 for technical reasons, has expressed an initial need for 26 aircraft to equip its 'Made in India' aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. This device will allow the Indian Navy to have a homogeneous fleet between the Rafale Air and the Rafale Marine.
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New Delhi, which ordered 36 Rafales in 2016, also received the last copy in December, six years later. The two Indian Rafale squadrons have become fully operational.