BENGALURU, Feb 17: India and France are intensifying their defence and industrial partnership, marked by landmark initiatives including the first private-sector helicopter assembly line in India and plans for joint production of HAMMER precision-guided missiles under the ‘Make in India’ programme.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin jointly chaired the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on Tuesday, underscoring the strategic and operational depth of bilateral cooperation.
Vautrin said, “Defence is the central pillar of the relationship between our countries, and our collaboration is exemplary with the joint exercises that are carried out, along with the co-production of military platforms. This partnership is complete and grounded in mutual respect, making India an essential partner in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The dialogue focussed on expanding industrial collaboration, co-production initiatives, and reciprocal deployment of officers to enhance interoperability. Both ministers witnessed the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter’s final assembly line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at Vemagal in Karnataka, marking a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
Analysts noted that the partnership is part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s defence industrial base, with France remaining a key partner in fighter jets, joint exercises, and technology cooperation.
Exercises like Shakti, Varuna, and Garuda reflect ongoing operational engagement, while initiatives like HAMMER missile production signal a shift towards private-sector-led defence manufacturing in India.
The talks coincide with French President Macron’s visit to India, aimed at boosting economic, technology, space, and defence cooperation, reaffirming that India-France strategic partnership continues to grow across multiple high-end sectors.
(UNI)
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