Defence Cooperation Agreement Renewal
India and France renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years on February 17, 2026, during the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France's Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin.
Key Agreements and Discussions
- The renewed agreement was signed by India's Defence Secretary and France's Deputy Director General for International Relations and Strategy.
- India requested France to increase the indigenous content in the Rafale aircraft by up to 50% and expand the aircraft's maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in India.
- Reciprocal Deployment Officers were announced at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
- The ministers discussed bilateral security and defence issues, focusing on co-development and co-production of equipment.
Emphasis on Closer Defence Partnership
The Defence Ministry highlighted the importance of a closer defence partnership, specifically in connecting industries in niche technology sectors. Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation as a crucial aspect of the strategic partnership.
India-EU Security and Defence Partnership
Rajnath Singh noted the significance of the recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership, advocating for its use in strengthening regional stability and enhancing joint capabilities. The Ministers agreed to utilize this framework for tangible outcomes in the Indo-French strategic alignment.
Joint Venture and MoU
- An MoU was signed for a Joint Venture to manufacture Hammer missiles in India between Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence.
Regional Security and Terrorism
Rajnath Singh emphasized India's role as a first responder and net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region, extending assistance in defence, security, and maritime domains. Addressing terrorism, he noted Pakistan's history of fostering cross-border terrorism, which poses a serious threat to regional peace.
