6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue
The 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue emphasized increasing indigenous content in the Rafale fighter aircraft production and establishing Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facilities for French aero engines in India.
Key Discussions and Agreements
- Indigenous Content in Rafale:
- Goal to enhance indigenous content in Rafale aircraft to 50%.
- Defence Acquisition Council cleared acquisition of 114 Rafale aircraft, with 90 to be manufactured in India.
- Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) Facilities:
- Proposal to set up MRO facilities for French aero engines in India.
- Strategic Partnerships:
- Collaboration between DRDO and Safran for manufacturing advanced jet engines in India.
- SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd, a joint venture, to work on new generation helicopter engines.
- Military Cooperation:
- Reciprocal deployment of officers between Indian Army and French Land Forces.
- Renewal of a 10-year defence cooperation agreement.
- MoU signed for Hammer missile manufacturing in India by Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence.
- Strategic Alignment:
- Emphasis on enhancing military-to-military cooperation.
- Leverage India-EU Security and Defence Partnership for regional stability and joint capabilities.
- Exercise Shakti:
- Conversion from a biennial to an annual event appreciated by the French Defence Minister.
