New Delhi: The Indian Navy has inched closer to getting 26 Rafale Marine aircraft with France sending in a detailed bid, the contract for which is likely to be signed only after the general elections next year, ThePrint has learnt.
The bid came in this week in response to India’s Letter of Request to the French government specifying requirements and capabilities it would want in the Rafale Marine aircraft being acquired for aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said that the bid is being studied by the Navy and then the government will set up a cost negotiation committee, which will be headed by a three star navy officer and have representatives from the defence ministry as well.
Sources further said that the French would also set up a similar team, but will not have representatives from aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation since this is a government to government deal.
Asked when the process will be completed, sources said that a contract will only be inked after the new government is sworn in since it will take that much time even though the whole process is being fast-tracked.
The new government will be sworn in May and this could be one of the big defence contracts to be signed in the weeks after.
ThePrint was the first to report in December last year that the Navy had shortlisted the Rafale-M over American fighter F/A-18 Super Hornet.
As per the plan, the Navy will be acquiring 22 single seater fighters and another four twin seaters.
Asked whether India will go in for additional Rafale M aircraft since the current fleet of MiG 29Ks operated from INS Vikramaditya will need replacement in the coming years, sources said that this was just a temporary arrangement.
The Navy is fully backing the building of indigenous twin engine deck based fighters, sources added.
The prototype of the new fighter is expected by 2026-27 and production is likely to start sometime around 2032.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)