India and France have approved a new strategy for cooperation within the defense sector

India and France have endorsed a fresh plan for collaboration in the defense industry, outlining a roadmap for joint initiatives such as co-designing, co-developing, and co-producing military equipment. As part of this agreement, the two nations will collaborate on the production of a multi-mission helicopter within India.

Schengen visa validity may extend to 5 years for Indian Students

Additionally, Safran, a French engine manufacturer, has expressed its willingness to transfer 100% of the technology required to manufacture fighter jet engines to India. Following extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, both countries have expanded their strategic ties, encompassing defense space collaboration, satellite launches, joint research in clean energy, healthcare cooperation, public administration collaboration, and the extension of Schengen visa validity to five years for Indian students pursuing Master's degrees in France.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra highlighted that Tata and Airbus Helicopters will partner to establish India's inaugural private sector helicopter assembly line under the "Make in India" initiative, with a notable emphasis on indigenous components. The production of the first H125 helicopter manufactured in India is slated to commence in 2026 and will have a capacity to carry up to six passengers. The defense production roadmap aims to identify opportunities for collaboration in the defense industrial sector, emphasizing co-designing, co-development, and co-production. This strategic partnership seeks to not only meet the defense requirements of India and France but also contribute to the security needs of other nations requiring similar products.

France and India will engage in collaboration across various domains

Expanding on the extent of the collaboration, he mentioned that it will cover a wide range of areas, including both air and space technologies, maritime technology such as underwater domain awareness, equipment and systems associated with land warfare, robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and platforms, and cyber defense.

This stems from the agreement outlined in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap established by the two countries last year. The primary emphasis is on defense production and manufacturing, intending to leverage the synergies and capabilities of the two economies and engineering systems to bolster their defense cooperation.

Macron's visit is aimed at strengthening the ambitious revitalization of the India-France strategic partnership initiated by the two leaders in Paris in July, as outlined in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

The visit by the French President has yielded substantial outcomes and involved in-depth discussions between the two leaders, according to the spokesperson.

There is potential for France to assist India in the design and development of fighter jet engines. Addressing the Safran engine for India's fighter jet program, India's ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, clarified during the briefing that the focus is on establishing specifications aligned with India's future fighter jet needs.

Both nations have agreed to declare 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation

He emphasized that the goal is not merely a transfer of manufacturing technology but active involvement in the design phase, including metallurgical aspects. Safran is fully committed to a 100% transfer of technology encompassing design, development, certification, production, and more. However, Ashraf acknowledged the complexity of the subject and the need for alignment with overall future requirements. These discussions will persist, forming a crucial aspect of the defense industrial roadmap.

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The significance of the collaboration between India and France has increased in the current intricate geopolitical landscape and alignment with each country's respective national priorities and interests, stated Kwatra. He added that both nations have concurred to designate the year 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation.