India is all set to seal the proposed procurement of 26 naval variant of Rafale jets and three additional Scorpene submarines soon, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said on Monday.
Odisha | "Rafale Marine is at an advanced stage of negotiations and is only one level short of taking it to the Cabinet Committee on Security. Since it is a government-to-government deal, it should not take much time." says Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on the proposed… pic.twitter.com/Su8VCpQ7LH
— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2024
At a media briefing ahead of Navy Day (December 4), Admiral Tripathi said the procurement of Rafale-M (naval variant Marine jets) and the Scorpene submarines is likely to be finalised next month.
#WATCH | Annual Navy Day press conference | Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi says, "In August, Defence minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the second SSBN INS Arighaat (Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine) - which is the third leg of our nuclear triad..." pic.twitter.com/voHQzPVZaf
— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2024
“Rafale Marine is at an advanced stage of negotiations and is only one level short of taking it to the Cabinet Committee on Security. Since it is a government-to-government deal, it should not take much time,” he said.
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The Rafale M jets will be tailored for operation from aircraft carriers such as INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Modifications of this variant include reinforced undercarriages and strengthened landing gears to accommodate carrier operations 41.
He said the government's approval for two SSNs (nuclear-powered submarines) showed the faith it reposes in India's indigenous capabilities to build such boats.
He said as part of the efforts to enhance India's naval power, as many as 62 ships and a submarine are currently under construction within the country, and added that a large number of platforms are waiting for induction in the next one year.
"We have redoubled efforts to include niche technologies into the force," Admiral Tripathi said.
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In July last year, the defence ministry approved the purchase of the Rafale-M jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Speaking about Pakistan's efforts to enhance its maritime prowess, Admiral Tripathi said the Indian Navy is ready to deal with any possible threat from neighbouring countries.