The French fighter, of course, also had a head start on logistical grounds given that IAF has already inducted 36 Rafales under the Rs 59,000 crore deal inked in September 2016. As for the Rafale-M, it emerged as the frontrunner over the American F/A-18 Super Hornet after extensive trials conducted by the Navy last year, as was reported by TOI in December. With the sixth Scorpene now slated for delivery by early-2024, all these vessels will also be retrofitted with the indigenous AIP in the years ahead. The three new submarines will follow the first six Scorpenes constructed at MDL in collaboration with French M/s Naval Group for over Rs 23,000 crore under `Project-75’, which was hit by huge time and cost overruns after being inked in 2005. “The first new submarine should roll out five to six years after the contract,” the source said. The three Scorpene submarines to be constructed at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks (MDL), which will have air-independent propulsion (AIP) developed by DRDO for greater underwater endurance, in turn, will cost around Rs 30,000 crore. The MoD, on its part, said the price and other terms of the purchase will be negotiated with the French government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including the “comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries”. “This deal will cost an estimated Rs 50,000 crore, with deliveries of the jets to begin around three years after the contract is inked,” a source said. The proposed inter-governmental agreement for the Rafale-M fighters will include off-the-shelf purchase of 22 single-seat jets and four twin-seat trainers, along with associated equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, crew training and logistic support.
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