France Offers 100% ToT for AMCA 110kN Engine and Underwater Drones to India, Supports Nuclear Attack Subs Construction

In a move set to significantly boost India's defence capabilities, France has offered full transfer of technology (ToT) for 110 kilo-Newton thrust aircraft engines and underwater drones, and has expressed willingness to support India's construction of nuclear attack submarines.

These developments are expected to be major talking points during the upcoming India-France strategic dialogue between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne in Paris.

This strategic dialogue comes at a crucial time when India is actively seeking to enhance its naval prowess, with the Indian Navy reportedly approaching the government regarding the need for nuclear attack submarines.

France's offer to assist in this endeavor, along with its offer of full-spectrum autonomous systems for air, surface, and underwater domains, could substantially bolster India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Another significant aspect of the dialogue will be the potential collaboration on aircraft engines. Safran, a French company with a history of collaboration with India's space agency ISRO, has offered to jointly design, develop, certify, and produce 110 KN engines for India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

This offer includes 100% ToT, even for the critical hot engine sections, and promises Indian ownership of the jointly developed engine with the freedom to export it without restrictions.

The strengthening of the India-France strategic defence partnership is seen as pivotal for India's strategic autonomy. The two nations are already collaborating in various defence domains, including the potential acquisition of Rafale-Maritime fighters for India's aircraft carriers and the joint construction of Kalvari class diesel attack submarines.

Beyond defence, the dialogue is expected to cover a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Indian Ocean. The Middle East conflict, the targeting of commercial shipping by Houthis in the Red Sea, the situation in Bangladesh, and the elections in Sri Lanka are also likely to be discussed.

France's comprehensive support for India's defence aspirations, encompassing critical technologies and strategic cooperation, highlights the deepening trust and alignment between the two nations. It also underlines France's commitment to supporting India's rise as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

[Akshat]

did they revived kaveri or build a land based test bed even?

Why would they do that? Did they ever sign a deal for that? Was either of those mentioned as one of the prerequisites in the Rafale deal?

 

[PKPRS]

Great. Now GOI should hurry and sign the contract asap. Development cycle will take 10 years. TOT is very important as this 110KN engines will run till 2060s.

Why couldn’t Safran make an engine for FCAS, let alone faster engine for Rafale, I wish they know, otherwise MTU wouldn’t make AERO engine for FCA, only engine they have is 80’s tech M88 engine copied from EJ200.

 

[Mrityunjay Shrivastav]

Why would they do that? Did they ever sign a deal for that? Was either of those mentioned as one of the prerequisites in the Rafale deal?

Yes 600Million offset for engine was agreed by them but they scammed us just like 1999 mirage upgrade, 40M for no engine swap, no aesa, no significate upgrade or even weapons (just handful of israeli bombs, MICA which was legging behind not just western but russian missiles even during that time)

 

[Akshat]

Yes 600Million offset for engine was agreed by them but they scammed us just like 1999 mirage upgrade, 40M for no engine swap, no aesa, no significate upgrade or even weapons (just handful of israeli bombs, MICA which was legging behind not just western but russian missiles even during that time)

Again, you are mixing stuff up. They agreed for offsets. But did they say we will revive Kaveri or set up test facilities to fulfill those offsets? Did they sign any contract or agreement that says it? Not negotiations but firm contract?

Similarly, did they hide any of that from us during the Mirage upgrade? Did they increase the price midway, or did they refuse to provide engines after signing the deal, or did they refuse to install the radar or missiles after saying they will do it in the contract? A firm signed deal?