India and France renew defence pact and launch Airbus H125 assembly line.
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
India and France will renew their 10-year defence pact and inaugurate the first private Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka this Tuesday.
Key Takeaways
- •India and France extend their bilateral defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years.
- •Tata and Airbus inaugurate India's first private-sector helicopter assembly line for the H125.
- •BEL and Safran sign a memorandum to produce HAMMER precision-guided missiles in India.
- •India moves forward with a 3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets.
India and France meet in Bengaluru. The date is February 17, 2026. Minister Rajnath Singh leads the talks. Minister Catherine Vautrin represents France. They will renew a 10-year pact. This deal focuses on joint manufacturing. It strengthens a long-term alliance.
The Airbus H125 Assembly Line
Airbus and Tata have a project. They built a new assembly line. It is located in Vemagal, Karnataka. They will produce H125 helicopters there. This is a first for India. No private firm did this before. The first helicopter ships in 2027. It serves civil and military needs. The H125 handles thin mountain air.
Industrial Cooperation
Safran and BEL will sign an MoU. They will build missiles in India. They will produce the HAMMER missile locally. These missiles are very precise. They hit targets on the ground. This joint venture helps Indian industry. It reduces the need for imports. Both nations will also swap officers. This helps their armies work together.
The Rafale Procurement
The Rafale jet is a priority. India approved 114 new fighter jets. The cost is 3.25 lakh crore. Dassault Aviation builds these advanced planes. India has used French jets since 1950. The Mirage-2000 is a famous example. Now, the Rafale leads the fleet. France also helps with submarine tech.
Strategic Partnership
The two nations are close friends. They have worked together for decades. India bought French planes in 1953. The Alouette helicopter came in 1960. Today, they build submarines together. The Scorpene class is one example. This partnership helps regional security. It keeps the Indian Ocean safe. The Bengaluru talks mark a milestone. India is now a global hub. France is a top strategic partner.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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