In a significant stride for bilateral defense collaboration, India and France gear up for their 6th Annual Defense Dialogue in Bengaluru on February 17. Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart will co-chair the high-stakes talks, focusing on industrial partnerships and long-term strategic pacts.
The event gains extra prominence with PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron set to remotely unveil the state-of-the-art H125 helicopter final assembly line by Tata and Airbus in Karnataka’s Vemgal. This facility marks a milestone in India’s manufacturing ambitions, creating jobs and enhancing local expertise in aviation.
Agenda highlights include reviewing ongoing cooperation, potentially renewing defense pacts for another decade, and sealing deals for co-producing Hammer missiles. Mutual officer deployments in armies could also be formalized, strengthening operational cohesion.
Defense ties form the bedrock of India-France relations, fortified by regular joint drills such as Shakti (army), Varuna (navy), and Garuda (air force). High-profile visits have further cemented this alliance: Modi graced Bastille Day 2023, while Macron headlined Republic Day 2024.
Fresh off the DAC’s green light for more Rafale jets, modern missiles, and surveillance tech on February 12, India’s military modernization accelerates. These French-sourced assets, with significant local production, echo Rafale’s success in Operation Sindoor against Pakistani terror targets. As two Rafale squadrons patrol Indian skies, this dialogue heralds expanded horizons for joint innovation and security.