France submits final price offer for 26 Rafale Marine Jets to India

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the visit of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, France has submitted its final price offer to India for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine Jets. France has offered major price reductions after further negotiations on the proposed contract. India and France have signed an agreement to purchase 26 Rafale Marine Jets to be deployed on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and at various bases.

The French team had reached Delhi to finalize the talks with India last week. Both sides held discussions in this regard at that time. Ajit Doval will arrive in France for the India-France strategic meeting starting in Paris on Monday. It is indicated that the negotiations related to the agreement may take place during this meeting as well.

The deal is important for the Navy as it seeks to strengthen its offensive capabilities. India had asked France to incorporate indigenous weapons in the aircraft. Apart from visual range missiles, it will also include Astra and Rudram anti-radiation missiles.