French Defence Minister’s India Trip Deferred After Pahalgam Attack; Rs 63,000 Cr Rafale Deal Signing Delayed
Following the Pahalgam attack, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu's visit to India has been deferred, delaying the signing of a 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft agreement between the two countries.
The visit of French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu to India has been cancelled in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, delaying the signing of a major defence agreement between the two nations. India and France were expected to formalise their largest-ever defence deal for the sale of 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft for the Indian Navy on 28 April in the presence of Minister Lecornu.
Senior officials from both sides were set to represent their respective countries at the signing of the over ₹63,000 crore contract. The event had been planned outside the Defence Ministry headquarters at South Block in New Delhi.
The French Minister was originally scheduled to arrive in India on Sunday evening and depart on Monday late evening. However, following the Pahalgam incident, the visit has now been called off. It is believed that a new date for the signing ceremony will be announced in the coming days.
India's Rs 63,000 Crore Deal To Buy 26 Rafale Fighter Jets For Indian Navy
Earlier this month, on 9 April, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led had approved the deal during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. The government-to-government contract includes the procurement of 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale-Marine jets. The package also encompasses comprehensive fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous component manufacturing.
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale jets are expected to be delivered within 37 to 65 months after the signing of the contract. All jets slated for delivery by 2030-31.
These fighters are intended to operate from the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, bolstering its capabilities alongside the existing Mig-29K fleet. The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 36 Rafale jets acquired under a separate 2016 agreement, with the aircraft based at Ambala and Hashimara.
The induction of the 26 Rafale-Marine jets will raise the total number of Rafale aircraft in Indian service to 62, significantly strengthening the country’s 4.5-plus-generation fighter fleet.
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