Against the backdrop of growing defense cooperation between the two countries, India has established a technical office of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at its embassy in Paris, according to a joint statement by India and France on Friday.
France is one of India’s key allies in building a self-reliant defense industrial and technological base, the statement said, adding that the joint development and production of advanced defense technologies for the benefit of third countries is a shared commitment of India and France.
- The Indian government announced the selection of the Rafale naval fleet for equipping the Indian Navy with state-of-the-art, next-generation fighter aircraft.
- French aerospace engine manufacturer Safran has become a key player in the development of advanced engines for India’s next-generation fighter aircraft. Safran has proposed a joint development of a new afterburning turbofan engine for India’s 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
- The Indian Navy intends to seek assistance from the French Navy in the development of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), which is an important addition to their maritime capabilities.
- France has offered its submarine-launched cruise missile SCALP Naval/MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) for equipping six Kalvari-class submarines, including three submarines recently ordered by India. The SCALP Naval/MdCN cruise missile is currently deployed on the French nuclear attack submarine Barracuda, with France having acquired 50 of such missiles.
