New Delhi: India and France on Friday vowed to continue their cooperation in defence and security, with New Delhi committing to buy more Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines from Paris for the Indian Navy as they marked the completion of 25 years of strategic partnership. The deals were firmed up during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held in Paris. During his 36-hour-long visit, Modi and Macron also decided to come out with a roadmap on the Indo-Pacific to enhance their strategic partnership as geopolitical tensions soar.
“In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India. In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine,” said an official statement named ‘Horizon 2047’.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi finalised the plan to procure 26 Rafale (Marine) version jets for Indian aircraft carriers and also three additional submarines. France’s Naval Group has already built six Scorpene-class for the Indian Navy under full transfer of technology in collaboration with Mazagon Dock Ltd.
This was the second time when India announced the purchase of 26 Rafale M fighters for the Navy, following the procurement of 36 jets, made by Dassault Aviation, for the Indian Air Force in 2016.
India will be the only country that will operate both the variants of the aircraft in the air and at sea. The Rafale M will be deployed for operations onboard the INS Vikrant.
On Thursday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the purchase of the 26 jets, the final price of which will now be negotiated between both parties. Apart from this, the DAC also gave its green signal for three more submarines which the Naval Group will be making at MDL with higher indigenous content. “India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance,” the statement read.
Both sides have also decided on industrial cooperation for the motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) programme with Safran Helicopter Engine, France. A Shareholders’ Agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engine has been concluded for engine development.
Prime Minister Modi said in a joint presser with President Macron that they spoke at length on co-production and co-development in the area of defence. Both countries also finalised a ‘Roadmap on Defence Industrial Cooperation’ under which India will be setting up a technical office of the DRDO at its Embassy in Paris. “France is one of India’s key partners in the development of a self-reliant defence industrial and technological base. India and France are committed to cooperating in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries,” said Modi.
Modi & Macron Talked China, Ukraine
During the talks both leaders also discussed the growing hegemonic tendencies of China in the Indo-Pacific region as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, confirmed Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra during a media briefing.
"Together we defend the same vision of the Indo-Pacific, a space that must remain open and free from any form of hegemony,” said Macron during a joint press conference.
He added, “Our armed forces now have regular interactions with the aim of contributing to peace, security and respect for international law in the region. This strategic intimacy between our two countries will materialize with the launch of new programs which will be part of the continuity of previous successes.”
Both sides are also discussing a proposal to establish an Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation Fund.
“We will also increase militaries’ naval visits and develop defence industrial capabilities in India and jointly support the needs of other countries. We will continue to develop our comprehensive cooperation including the French overseas territories of La Reunion, New Caledonia and French Polynesia and in coordination with other countries in the region and beyond,” stated the Indo-Pacific roadmap.
On the issue of the Russia-Ukraine War, Kwatra said, “Prime Minister Modi has been the strongest advocate of peace” when it came to finding a resolution to the conflict.
According to the joint statement, “In the turbulence and challenges of our times, this partnership means more than ever before – upholding the international law; advancing cohesion in a fragmenting world; reforming and reinvigorating the multilateral system; building a secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific region; addressing global challenges of climate change, clean energy, health, food security, poverty and development.”