In a move signaling a deepening strategic relationship, French defence giant Safran Group has announced its intention to establish its first defence electronics unit outside France in India.
This significant development was revealed during a two-day strategic dialogue held between India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and top French officials, including Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron, and Fabien Mandon, Macron's chief military advisor.
This initiative underscores the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. Safran's planned facility will focus on manufacturing sensors and vital electronic components essential for supporting various military platforms. While the exact location of the facility is yet to be determined, this move is expected to significantly boost India's domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
The strategic dialogue also saw France pledge collaboration with India on advanced materials and metallurgy, crucial for manufacturing critical components of both military and civilian engines. This partnership aims to enhance India's technological prowess in developing high-end engines.
Further solidifying their defence partnership, France has committed to jointly developing unmanned sub-surface, surface, and aerial systems with India. This collaboration will encompass underwater drones for submarines and support India in advancing its counter-swarm drone and armed drone technologies.
Beyond defence technology, the dialogue covered a wide range of sensitive security issues, including cyber security and military applications in space.
Joint initiatives such as the launch of military satellites and the co-development of stand-off weapons like the Hammer missile were also discussed.
NSA Doval's visit to France culminated in a significant meeting with President Macron, where the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Lebanon were central to the discussion.
Doval provided his assessment of the Ukraine war, while French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot, recently returned from Beirut, shared his insights on the West Asia crisis.
Both sides agreed that Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon are likely to persist, aiming to weaken the Shia militant group while supporting a moderate Lebanese government.
The two nations also engaged in a candid exchange on the broader global security environment, including China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
This comprehensive dialogue highlights the strengthening strategic partnership between India and France, marked by increasing cooperation in defence, technology, and security domains.
