Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:21am on 21 Dec 2023,Thursday Defence
France responds to the Indian Navy's request for 26 Rafale fighter jets, taking India a step closer to securing these aircraft for deployment on INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Valued at approximately ₹50,000 crore, the deal aims to enhance the Navy's capabilities, addressing issues with the current MiG-29K fleet. The move comes amid regional considerations, with China expanding its naval presence, potentially operating a carrier battle group in the Indian Ocean. India evaluates the bid before entering contract negotiations with France, signaling a strategic upgrade in naval capabilities.