Navy plans to finalise deals for submarines, Rafale jets, drones by end of 2024

The Indian Navy is planning to finalise three major deals for three new submarines, 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and 31 MQ-9B drones.

The Navy is looking to bolster its underwater arm with the induction of three more Scorpene submarines which are to be built at the Mazagaon dockyard in Mumbai. The deal is expected to cost around Rs 40,000 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited playing a key role in it, defence sources informed India Today.

The second major deal planned to be winded up this financial year is for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the INS Vikrant. The Navy plans to quickly conclude the project and has taken steps to shorten the time period involved in the project conclusion, the sources said.

Indian Navy plans to equip the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with these planes and develop a strong capability for the force on the maritime front, sources said. The two sides have held two rounds of negotiations on the matter and are soon going to restart the talks on the matter, they said.

The third deal involves the purchase of 31 MQ-9 drones from the United States under a foreign military sales contract. This project, worth Rs 32,000 crore, is planned to be concluded by October 31.