NEW DELHI/PARIS, July 12 (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to France on Thursday to deepen ties with New Delhi’s oldest strategic partner in the West, with a slew of high-profile defence deals expected and a new joint plan to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Modi has been invited as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations by French President Emmanuel Macron. Units from India’s army, navy and air force will also participate in the parade, including two of the 36 Rafale fighter jets India bought in 2015 for nearly $9 billion.

India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now. Much before buying Dassault Aviation’s Rafale in 2015, India bought Mirage jets in 1980s, which still comprise two squadrons of the air force.

India is expected to agree to buy 26 Rafale jets, the sources said, without giving the deal’s expcted value.

The marine version of Dassualt’s Rafale jets, intended for India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned in August 2022, outperformed the American SuperhornetF18s in tests last year for Indian requirements.

Reuters
Photo Rob Vogelaar