The Indian Navy is gearing up for a significant leap in its maritime strength, with two major defence acquisitions expected to be finalized next month. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, addressing the annual Navy Day press conference on Monday, announced plans to seal a ₹90,000-crore deal for 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft and three additional Scorpene-class submarines.
The twin agreements, under negotiation with France, reflect India’s push to modernize its naval fleet and enhance its operational readiness. The Rafale-Marine jets, designed for carrier-based operations, are set to elevate the Navy’s aerial combat capabilities.
On the submarine front, the Navy is working with the French Naval Group to add three Scorpene-class submarines to the six already constructed by Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai. These additional submarines will not only strengthen underwater combat capabilities but also align with the Project 75-India initiative, which aims to advance indigenous submarine construction expertise.
Admiral Tripathi also underscored the Navy’s focus on monitoring foreign naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly that of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy).
