DAC Approves Proposal To Buy 26 Rafale-M Aircraft and 3 Scorpene Submarines
The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.
The DAC, which is the defence ministry’s highest decision making body on procurement, also cleared a proposal for construction of three more Scorpene submarines in India.
The mega defence projects are expected to be announced after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.
The DAC’s approval to the projects came around a week after they were cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB).
The Indian Navy is looking for procurement of 26 deck-based fighter jets for indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
After a lengthy process, the Navy had narrowed down on Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and French aerospace major Dassault Aviation’s Rafale M aircraft for the procurement.
Later, Rafale-M, the naval variant of the lethal jet, emerged as the winner in the tight race. India has already procured 36 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Air Force.
The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.
Another important project with France would be the follow on order of three Scorpene submarines.
Under Project 75, six Scorpene submarines have already been made in India.
(With PTI inputs) DAC Approves Proposal To Buy 26 Rafale-M Aircraft and 3 Scorpene Submarines DAC Approves Proposal To Buy 26 Rafale-M Aircraft and 3 Scorpene Submarines DAC Approves Proposal To Buy 26 Rafale-M Aircraft and 3 Scorpene Submarines DAC Approves Proposal To Buy 26 Rafale-M Aircraft and 3 Scorpene Submarines DAC Approves Proposal To Buy 26 Rafale-M Aircraft and 3 Scorpene Submarines IgMp
