India and France have agreed on a new road map for defense industrial cooperation, which would explore the potential for collaboration in the sector such as co-designing, co-development, and co-production of military hardware. The two nations will work together to manufacture a multi-mission helicopter in India, and Safran, a French engine manufacturer, is willing to share all of its expertise so that the nation can create fighter jet engines. A day after French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted lengthy talks to strengthen strategic ties, senior officials said this on Friday.
The two nations have also come to agreements on joint research in clean energy, public administration cooperation, defense space partnership, satellite launches, and health care cooperation. According to foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, who briefed the media on the results of the leaders' talks, Indian students seeking master's degrees in France would also have their five-year Schengen visas activated.
The Multi-Mission Helicopter
Tata and Airbus Helicopters will work together to construct the H125 helicopters in India, including a major indigenous and localization component.
The government's "Make in India" campaign will see the launch of India's first private-sector helicopter assembly line with this facility. According to those who know the situation, the first H125 helicopter to be manufactured in India is anticipated to be produced in 2026. Up to six people can travel in a helicopter.
“The two nations have decided to accept the road map for defense production. The goal of this road map for defense cooperation is to find opportunities for partnership in the defense industrial sector, with a focus on co-designing, co-development, co-production, and building defense supply chains between the two nations. This way, they can not only meet India's and France's defense needs but also contribute to security partnerships with other nations that may use similar products”, Kwatra said in response to a question.
Thank you, India, for your warm welcome in Jaïpur and Delhi.
France will welcome the whole world this year with the commemoration of the Second World war, the Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris and the Francophonie summit.
You are welcome, our friends! pic.twitter.com/rmdyzUYH3N— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024
India- France diplomatic ties
The cooperation will cover a wide range of technologies, including those linked to air and space travel, maritime technology, including undersea domain awareness, ground warfare equipment and systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and platforms, and cyber defense.
According to Kwatra, the importance of the France-India collaboration has only increased in light of the current complicated geopolitical landscape and the pursuit of national goals and interests. It has also been decided that 2026 will be recognized as the France-India year of innovation.
The two leaders have met six times in 2023 alone and four times in the last six months alone, indicating the importance of both leaders to this partnership and the level of high-level supervision and direction in the relationship. The two leaders have had extensive exchanges over the past year.
Image Source: The Indian Express
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