Speaking to ANI, Ranjeet Rai said that the Indian Navy will celebrate the signing of the agreement between India and France and termed it a "very important day." He stated that the world would be reporting on India's agreement on the procurement of 26 Rafale aircraft.
In a statement, Trappier expressed gratitude to India for their confidence in Dassault Aviation and reaffirmed company's commitment to contribute to India's expression of its sovereign power, its strategic challenges and its ambitious vision of the future.
"The agreement includes Training, Simulator, Associated Equipment, Weapons and Performance-Based Logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF)," the statement said.
The French Ambassador to India represented his country, while Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh represented the Indian side, among other officials. The Defence Ministers of both countries attended the signing remotely.
The Indian Air Force is carrying out Exercise Aakraman (Attack) over a large area in the central sector involving its mainstream fighter aircraft fleets led by the Rafale combat aircraft.
India and France are expected to sign their largest-ever defence deal for the sale of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy on April 28 in the presence of French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
With a high-level committee having accepted the need for getting new multirole fighters, the Indian Air Force is looking to start induction of these planes in the next four to five years through a fast tracked global tender.
Addressing the 'Chanakya Dialogues Conclave', the Air Chief Marshal said, "We would like to be an aerospace power by 2047... We have already taken steps towards educating our people to be more space-oriented."
The Indian Navy is acquiring 26 Rafale Marine aircraft to enhance the capabilities of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. The acquisition was in the final stages of being cleared by the cabinet committee on security.