ADVERTISEMENT
India approves in principle purchase of French warplanes, subs: govt
by AFP Staff Writers
New Delhi (AFP) July 13, 2023
India on Thursday approved in principle the purchase of 26 French marine Rafale jets and three Scorpene-class submarines, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in Paris.
New Delhi’s Defence Acquisition Council approved proposals for the purchases, the defence ministry said in a statement, but it added the price and other terms still had to be negotiated with the French government.
The discussions over the long-awaited deals would take into account “all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries”, the statement said.
The naval version of Dassault’s Rafale jets are intended for India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, which was commissioned last year.
India was already purchasing six Scorpene submarines and the statement said the three additional vessels would be built “with higher indigenous content” by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders near Mumbai, creating “significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector”.
Despite differences over the war in Ukraine and tensions over human rights in India, Western democracies are courting Modi and the world’s most populous country as a counterweight to China in Asia.
“India is one of the pillars of our Indo-Pacific strategy,” an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters this week on condition of anonymity.
At the same time, New Delhi has been expanding its armed forces to upgrade its mostly Soviet-era weaponry and respond to what many in India see as a growing threat from regional rival China.
New Delhi is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, with Modi announcing a landmark deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets during a trip to Paris in 2015 that was worth around 4.0 billion euros ($4.24 billion) at the time.
Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com
ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
US Air Force suspends personnel moves, bonuses over funding shortfall
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 11, 2023
A funding shortfall, due to higher-than-expected costs, is forcing the U.S. Air Force to suspend thousands of airmen’s moves and bonuses through September.
The delay in permanent change of station moves and bonuses was announced Monday “to avoid exhausting funds,” according to Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek, who said airmen who do not have orders by Aug. 1, could be affected.
While the Air Force has experienced shortfalls in the past, it usually impacts expenses associated with flyin … read more
ADVERTISEMENT
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 – Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled “by Staff Writers” include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report’s information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : IndoDaily – https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/India_approves_in_principle_purchase_of_French_warplanes_subs_govt_999.html