The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under India's Ministry of Defence approved three proposals for the procurement of fighter planes from France to support the Indian Navy on July 13, 2023. They also granted approval for the construction of three Scorpene submarines developed by the French Navy.

According to a release, the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine jets along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training, and logistic support was approved. However, the final terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on July 14.

The proposals were made as part of the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) , which was signed on September 23, 2016, between the two governments for supplying India with 36 Rafale aircraft. The procurement will fulfil the Navy’s requirement of 26-deck based fighter jets to support INS Vikrant, the release stated.

The DAC believes that the procurement will benefit the Navy as well as create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. Additionally, the top defence body also approved a proposal for putting together guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition.

According to the Ministry, it will help in achieving ‘aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms/equipment through indigenous manufacturing.