In a major development, the Defence Ministry today gave an initial nod to the plans to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France. The proposals were approved by the Defence Procurement Board of the Defence Ministry and will now be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Council for discussion most likely on July 13, government sources told ANI. The deals, once accorded Acceptance of Necessity by the DAC, are likely to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France this week, the sources said. As per the proposals, the Indian Navy will get 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft. The Navy has been pressing for acquiring these fighter aircraft and submarines urgently as they have been facing shortages in view of the security challenges around the country.