Macron eyes 114 Dassault Rafale jet deal and opens Airbus plant in India

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India. He began a three-day official visit today. Macron met Prime Minister Narendra Modi first. They want to sign a major deal. India needs 114 new Dassault Rafale jets. This is called the contract of century. The deal could cost 35 billion dollars.

Most jets will be built in India. This helps the Make in India plan. India already uses 36 Rafale fighter jets. The Indian Navy ordered 26 more jets. France is now a top defense partner. India wants to buy less from Russia. This shift helps India's strategic goals.

New Helicopter Assembly Line

Macron and Modi opened a new factory. It is a helicopter final assembly line. This plant is in Vemagal, Karnataka. The Tata Group and Airbus built it. They will manufacture the Airbus H125 helicopter. This is a very popular light helicopter.

It is the first private assembly line. This facility marks a big aviation milestone. It will create many high-tech jobs locally. India is a fast-growing aviation market. More helicopters are needed for civil use. This factory will meet that growing demand.

Strengthening Strategic Ties

France and India share strong economic ties. Bilateral trade is worth 18 billion dollars. French investment in India is very high. Both leaders want to grow this partnership. They are discussing artificial intelligence cooperation too. A major AI summit starts on Wednesday.

Global trade issues are also on the agenda. They discussed new US trade tariff policies. China's regional influence is another key topic. Both nations want a stable Indo-Pacific region. This visit shows deep trust between leaders.

Impact on Aviation Industry

This visit impacts the global aerospace sector. Dassault Aviation sees India as a key buyer. A new deal secures many future jobs. It boosts India's domestic manufacturing capabilities. The Indian Air Force will gain advanced tech.

• India seeks 114 multi-role fighter aircraft.
• Local production is a main deal requirement.
• Airbus expands its industrial footprint in India.
• Strategic autonomy remains a priority for Delhi.

According to recent reports, negotiations are ongoing. The French presidency feels very optimistic now. A final agreement could be reached soon. This would be a historic aviation milestone. It strengthens the link between Paris and Delhi.

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