India & France expand aerospace partnership with new Rafale and helicopter pacts.
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India and France have deepened their defense partnership, signing deals for local helicopter and missile manufacturing and renewing their 10-year cooperation pact.
Key Takeaways
- •Renewed the bilateral defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years.
- •Finalized a contract to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
- •Inaugurated a TATA-Airbus H125 helicopter final assembly line, a first for India's private sector.
- •Signed an MoU to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India through a joint venture.
India and France have significantly deepened their strategic and aerospace partnership, marked by a series of landmark agreements aimed at bolstering India's indigenous manufacturing capabilities under the 'Make in India' initiative. During the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the collaboration, stating the two nations "chose each other on land, at sea, and in the sky."
The dialogue culminated in the renewal of the bilateral defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years, solidifying a long-term framework for joint projects. This renewed commitment moves beyond simple procurement, emphasizing co-development and technology transfer as cornerstones of the relationship.
Bolstering 'Make in India' with Key Manufacturing Deals
A major highlight of the enhanced cooperation is the inauguration of the Airbus H125 Final Assembly Line. This facility, a joint effort with TATA Advanced Systems, is a first-of-its-kind private sector helicopter manufacturing plant in India, designed to serve both domestic needs and export markets.
Furthering this trend, an MoU was signed to establish a Joint Venture between Bharat Electronics Limited and French defense giant Safran for the production of HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) missiles in India. The partnership between Safran and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for developing the engine for the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) was also praised by both leaders as a key project.
Strengthening Aerial and Naval Capabilities
The agreements also focus on upgrading India's military hardware. Both nations commended the contract for India to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, which will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's carrier-based air power. To support this fleet and other advanced aircraft, the partnership is expanding its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) footprint.
According to a joint statement, leaders welcomed the inauguration of an MRO facility for the LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engine and the planned establishment of another facility for the M-88 engines that power the Rafale jets. These developments are crucial for ensuring high operational availability and reducing reliance on foreign maintenance cycles.
A Deepening Strategic Alliance
The collaboration extends beyond aviation into maritime and space domains. Both leaders highlighted the success of the made-in-India Scorpène submarine program, noting the sixth and final submarine was delivered to the Indian Navy on January 15, 2025. This success paves the way for continued cooperation on future submarine projects.
In the space sector, the joint development of the TRISHNA (Thermal InfraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment) satellite exemplifies the scientific and industrial synergy between the two countries. The partnership is further governed by a Technical Arrangement between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and France's Directorate General for Armament (DGA), which now includes defense space cooperation, reportedly building on a Letter of Intent signed in January 2024. This comprehensive alliance underscores a shared commitment to strategic autonomy and a multipolar global order.
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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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