India and France will strengthen their defense industrial collaboration.

12 Oct, 2023

India and France will strengthen their defense industrial collaboration.

During Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's 5th Annual Defense Dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu in Paris on October 11, India and France decided to intensify their defense industrial collaboration, with a focus on areas like space, cyber, and Artificial Intelligence, as announced by the Defense Ministry.

This discussion took place as part of Minister Singh's two-nation Europe tour, and covered a broad spectrum of topics, from evaluating regional situations to ongoing military engagements. A significant emphasis was placed on strengthening defense industrial cooperation.

In addition to reviewing existing defense projects, the two ministers explored avenues to deepen cooperation between the defense industries of both nations. The meeting commenced with a Guard of Honour at the French Ministry of Defense.

Earlier that day, Minister Singh visited the Safran Engine Division's research and development center in Gennevilliers, near Paris, where he witnessed the latest advancements in aero-engine technology.

He also held meetings with the CEOs of prominent French defense companies, concentrating on their collaborative plans with India. During these discussions, Minister Singh highlighted the benefits of co-development and co-production in India, including prospects for exporting to third countries.

The Defense Minister underscored the inherent advantages of the Indian market, including a substantial, skilled workforce, top-tier infrastructure, and a robust legal framework.

Upon his arrival in Paris on October 10, 2023, Minister Singh engaged with the Indian community in the city. In the initial segment of his two-nation tour, he held discussions with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in Rome. Following these talks, an Agreement on Cooperation in the field of defense was signed to boost bilateral collaboration in various defense domains, such as security, defense policy, research and development, military education, maritime domain awareness, defense information sharing, and industrial cooperation, encompassing co-development, co-production, and joint ventures.

As part of his visit, Minister Singh also interacted with CEOs and other key figures from leading Italian defense companies in Rome, further reinforcing the collaboration between the two nations.