Dassault Aviation: India selects Navy Rafale

Kolkata: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi finished his two-day France tour, Dassault Aviation has informed that the Indian government announced the selection of the Navy Rafale to equip the Indian Navy with a latest-generation fighter.

The French aerospace giant's declaration came a day after the proposed 26 Rafale (Marine) jets' procurement found no mention in the joint statements and documents released after Mr Modi's talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.

On Saturday, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier said, "As we celebrate 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."

The company said in a statement, "Following an international competition launched by the Indian authorities, this decision comes after 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 specificities of its aircraft carrier."

It elaborated, "The Indian Navy's 26 Rafale will eventually join the 36 Rafale already in service, which are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and on the seas and guarantee its sovereignty."

According to the French company, "This selection confirms the excellence of the Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link between Dassault Aviation and the Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France."