Contract negotiations between the governments of India and France for a significant Rs 50,000 crore deal involving 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets are set to commence on May 30, with a high-level French delegation arriving in India. The French team will meet with counterparts from the Indian Defence Ministry to begin official negotiations for the acquisition of these fighter jets, which are intended for the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
The French delegation will include officials from their defense ministry and representatives from key defense industry players such as Dassault Aviation and Thales. The Indian delegation will comprise members from the Defence Acquisition Wing and the Indian Navy. The aim is to complete the negotiations and sign the agreement by the end of the current financial year.
France responded to India's tender for the Rafale Marine jets in December, submitting their detailed bid, including the commercial offer. The Indian side has thoroughly examined the French bid, including the price and other contractual details, and is now prepared to enter into rigorous negotiations.
This deal is structured as a government-to-government contract, necessitating careful and potentially tough negotiations between the two countries officials to finalize the terms.
