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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a major boost to its naval firepower, India has officially launched the program to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France. The landmark announcement was made at the prestigious Paris Air Show, signaling a new chapter in the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.

This government-to-government (G2G) agreement will equip the Indian Navy with a fleet of cutting-edge, carrier-based combat aircraft, destined to become the new wings of India's state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant. The formal launch signifies that both countries have finalized the core agreement, paving the way for the signing of the official contract.

The Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) was selected after a rigorous evaluation process where it beat out competition from the American F/A-18 Super Hornet. These new jets are crucial for India's maritime security strategy and will replace the Navy's aging fleet of Russian-made MiG-29K fighters.

This deal builds on the success of a previous acquisition of 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), underscoring the high level of trust and interoperability between the Indian and French militaries. The ceremony at the Paris Air Show was attended by top officials, including India’s Ambassador to France and the CEO of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale.

The acquisition of the Rafale-M jets is a significant step in modernizing the Indian Navy, enhancing its power projection capabilities across the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region and beyond.


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