New Delhi: The Indian Navy may sign a total of three major defense deals by the end of this financial year to enhance surveillance and combat capabilities. These defense deals include 31 MQ9B drone deals, three additional Scorpene submarines and 26 Rafale M fighter jets.

By giving a capital of Rs 61 thousand crore to the Indian Navy in this year's budget, the government has put full emphasis on the modernization of the Navy. Under the defense deals, the government has to pay 15 percent of the amount in advance for these projects. Senior defense officials said that the first of these defense deals to be completed is the MQ-9B drone, which will be equipped with submarine destroyer combat capabilities.

Both armies are to get eight drones each

He said that the validity of the US proposal in this regard will remain till October 31 this year. This project will be completed before that. The Navy will get 15 drones under this while the other two armies will get eight drones each. An agreement has also been reached between the two sides regarding the integration of the Indian weapon system with the drones. As soon as the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (Short Range) is fully ready, it will be integrated with the drones.

The cost of the submarine will be Rs 40 thousand crore

Under the second project, three additional Scorpene submarines will be built in partnership with French Naval Group and Indian Mazagon Dockyard Limited. The bid for this deal with MDL has been revised and now each submarine will cost Rs 40 thousand crore. These three submarines will be equipped with more modern capabilities than their predecessor six submarines. They will also have indigenous combat management system.

Sources say that Indian government companies like Bharat Electronics Limited etc. will have a major share in it. Under the third project, the Indian Navy will complete the project of 26 M Marine Warfare Rafale in the financial year 2024-25. These Rafales will be attached to INS Vikrant aircraft carrier warships.

Two rounds of talks have taken place between the two sides

Two rounds of talks have been held between the two sides to finalise this project. India has recently rejected the decision to install Uttam radar in these aircraft. This deal of Rs 50 thousand crore is similar to the previous deal of 36 Rafale. Only an agreement has been reached to add the rate of inflation in it.