French President Macron's India Visit to Accelerate Rafel M and Scorpene-Class Submarines Deals

Defense News ,India & France :- French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to India is poised to bolster significant defense agreements, particularly the sale of Rafale fighter planes and Scorpene-class submarines. The visit, scheduled to commence in Jaipur, marks President Macron's participation as the Chief Guest in India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, featuring French armed forces and fighter aircraft in the parade on Rajpath, New Delhi.

The anticipated discussions between President Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to kickstart price negotiations for the acquisition of Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets and submarines for the Indian Navy, as per official sources from ABP LIVE. These multi-billion dollar deals received clearance from the Ministry of Defence's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in July, preceding Prime Minister Modi's Bastille Day visit to France.

India's plans include the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter planes, designated for deployment on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The Indian Navy expressed a preference for the French Rafale-M over Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet in early 2023. Additionally, the Navy aims to acquire three more Scorpene-class submarines, to be constructed at Mazagon Dockyard Ltd. (MDL) in Mumbai under a repeat order for Project-75.

During Modi's visit to France in July, concerns arose as both deals were omitted from the joint statement. Subsequently clarified by both governments, the deals, although approved, required price negotiations that had not commenced.

President Macron's inclusion of Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu in the visit signals an intent to initiate these negotiations. Preliminary discussions took place in October during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Paris for the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue.

The visit coincides with heightened tensions around the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthis target merchant vessels amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. India, along with the US and the UK, is closely monitoring the situation. Discussions on this crisis are expected during talks between Modi and Macron.

India and France, strategic partners under the Indo-Pacific framework, are set to discuss the unfolding situation and determine their next steps. The Indo-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap, signed in July, emphasizes the crucial role of their partnership in the region.

President Macron, previously in India in 2018, will tour Amber Fort in Jaipur, engage with artisans and stakeholders of Indo-French cultural projects, and join Prime Minister Modi in visiting landmarks like Jantar Mantar. The Republic Day parade will be a key event during President Macron's visit, concluding with his departure on the same day.