India-France Defence Deals Near Finalization Ahead of PM Modi’s Paris Visit

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Paris, to attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Two major defence deals between India and France, worth over $10 billion.

Rafale-M Fighter Jets:

26 Rafale-M fighter jets, including 22 single-seater jets and 4 twin-seater trainer jets.
These jets will bridge the capability gap until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is developed and inducted.
Enhances operational capability of India’s two aircraft carriers:
- INS Vikramaditya (procured from Russia).
- INS Vikrant (indigenously built, commissioned in September 2022).
The Rafale M, developed by Dassault Aviation, is a naval adaptation of the Rafale fighter jet specifically designed for carrier-based operations. It incorporates unique modifications to meet the demanding requirements of maritime environments.

Key Features of Rafale M:

Reinforced Nose and Tail: Strengthened to withstand the stress of catapult launches and arrested landings on aircraft carriers.
Landing Gear: Specially designed to endure the high-impact forces during carrier landings.
Operates seamlessly on carriers equipped with CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) Used on the French Navy’s flagship carrier, Charles de Gaulle.
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8, enabling rapid interception and engagement.
Combat radius: 1,000+ km, suitable for long-range naval operations.
Equipped with state-of-the-art radar and electronic warfare systems for superior situational awareness and survivability.
Features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for tracking multiple targets simultaneously.
Capable of carrying a diverse range of armaments, including air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and anti-ship missiles. Compatible with nuclear payloads, adding to its strategic significance.
Corrosion-resistant coating to withstand the harsh marine environment.
Folding wings for efficient storage aboard aircraft carriers.

Scorpene-Class Submarines:

Three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines.
Addresses delays in Project-75I for six advanced submarines, where the decision between German and Spanish designs is still pending.
The first of the additional Scorpene submarines is expected to be delivered by 2031.
Diesel-electric attack submarines optimized for stealth, versatility, and operational efficiency in Indian waters.

Key Features:

Stealth Capabilities: Advanced acoustic silencing techniques and low radiated noise make them difficult to detect. Designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence-gathering missions.
Speed: Over 20 knots (submerged).
Endurance: Equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for prolonged underwater operations.
Armament: Capable of deploying torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and laying mines.