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Ukraine signed a letter of intent to buy up to 100 Rafale warplanes from France, the Ukrainian Embassy and the French president's office said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed the document on Monday stating that Ukraine is considering the possibility of buying French defence equipment, including Rafale jet fighters, Macron's office said. It did not provide further details. Zelenskyy is on his ninth visit to Paris since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. His talks are meant to strengthen Ukraine's defences as the country enters another winter under Russian bombardment of its energy infrastructure and other targets.
A stunning victory roll by low-flying Rafale aircraft left viewers gathered on either side of the Kartavya Path spellbound as the 76th Republic Day Parade came to a memorable end on Sunday. The daring aerial acrobatics by three Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft that came roaring over Kartavya Path at 900 kmph before pulling apart in a Trishul formation just above the India Gate also left the large crowd speechless. President Droupadi Murmu, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a host of dignitaries and a large crowd gathered for the celebrations were seen applauding the daredevilry of the air warriors. As the three fighter jets appeared to cross the India Gate, they pulled up, with one rising straight up and two other aircraft tearing away on either side, resembling a Trishul or Trident -- Lord Shiva's weapon for the destruction of evil. The final act of the parade was the victory roll by the Rafale aircraft which approached the dias flying at an altitude o
India is finalising the ground work for firming up procurement of 26 Naval variant of Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines from France in the run up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris this week, people familiar with the development said on Monday. The two sides are also inching closer to seal a deal under which French defence major Safran and an Indian entity will jointly develop an aircraft engine in India, the people said. It is learnt that the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) of the Ministry of Defence cleared the proposals. The procurement proposals will be taken up soon by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The people said India and France may announce the big-ticket defence projects during Modi's visit to France. Modi will attend the Bastille Day Parade in Paris on July 14 as the guest of honour. Some of the defence procurement projects may be announced this week, the people said when asked where the mega ...