Ahead of NSA visit, France submits final price offer for 26 Rafale Marine jet deal
Sep 30, 2024
New Delhi, September 29 (ANI): France has submitted the final price offer to India for the 26 Rafale Marine Jet deal. Price submission has taken place just ahead of the scheduled visit of NSA Ajit Doval to France. Best and final price offer has been reached after significant price reduction through tough negotiations. These 26 Rafales are going to be deployed on INS Vikrant aircraft carriers and various bases. Indian Navy is looking to strengthening its maritime strike capability amid increasing Chinese influence. India has also asked to integrate indigenous weapons, like Uttam radar and Astra beyond visual range missiles, in the plane. IAF requirements including around 40 drop tanks and a number of work stations have also been incorporated in the deal. India is also expected to get more number of long range air-to-air Meteor missiles and with the anti-ship weaponry in this project. The deal is scheduled for discussion in India-France Strategic Dialogue on September 30 in Paris. This deal with France is planned to be concluded by the end of this financial year.