According to Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace firm and producer of the aircraft, the Indian government chose the naval version of Rafale jets to provide the Indian Navy with the most modern fighter.
On Thursday, the defence ministry gave its approval for the acquisition of 26 French Rafale (marine) fighters.
A document made public after Friday’s meetings between French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no mention of the purchase of Rafale planes.
In a statement, Dassault Aviation reported that the Indian Government has “announced the selection of the Navy Rafale to equip the Indian Navy with a latest-generation fighter.”
A “successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navy’s operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specifics of its aircraft carrier,” according to the statement, was what led to the decision.
The 26 Rafales that the Indian Navy will eventually add to the 36 Rafales that are already in service will make India the first nation to make the same military decision as France by operating both versions of the aircraft, the statement said. This will help India solidify its superiority in the air and on the seas and ensure its sovereignty.
India is purchasing Rafale aircraft to be used on its own aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
The choice of the Rafale demonstrates its superiority, as well as the “exceptional quality of the link between Dassault Aviation and the Indian forces and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France,” according to the French army major.
Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said, “As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of our partnership with the Indian Forces, I would like to thank the Indian authorities for this new mark of confidence and pledge, on behalf of Dassault Aviation, that we will fully meet the Indian Navy’s expectations with the Rafale.
