The statement stated that France is one of India’s most crucial allies in establishing a self-sufficient defence industrial and technological foundation and that India and France are committed to working together to co-develop and co-produce cutting-edge defence technologies for the benefit of third parties.

To this purpose, it was underlined that both nations are cooperating to create a Roadmap on Defence Industrial Cooperation.

Additionally, it was mentioned that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official trip to France, where he attended the Bastille Day Parade as the Guest of Honour, both France and India applauded the prompt arrival of the 36 Rafale aircraft that India had ordered.

“In keeping with their exceptional military aviation collaboration that has spanned more than 50 years, India and France appreciate the prompt delivery of the 36 Rafale aircraft that India had ordered. India and France will support the joint development of a combat aircraft engine in the future, extending their innovative defence partnership in cutting-edge aeronautical technologies. (Safran and the DRDO will create a project roadmap before the end of this year),” the joint India-France statement stated.

The two leaders expressed their support for the French company Safran Helicopter Engine’s industrial collaboration in order to motorize heavy-lift helicopters for the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme. To help the IMRH programme advance, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), an Indian company, and Safran Helicopter Engine, a French company, reached a shareholders’ agreement for engine development.

A model of Make in India, the first Scorpene submarine construction programme (P75 – Kalvari) was also praised by India and France, as was the sharing of naval expertise between enterprises in the two nations.

The MoU between Mazagon Dockyard Ltd. and Naval Group for the construction of three further submarines under the P75 programme was also hailed by the two nations.

The statement added that India and France are prepared to investigate further ambitious projects to improve the performance of the Indian submarine fleet.

According to a joint statement, “this reflects the French government’s dedication to encouraging technology transfer and Make in India,” the agreement between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the Transfer of Technology of Forging and Castings for the Shakti Engine is another example of the military-industry relationship based on trust between the two nations.

On Friday, the French National Day, PM Modi was invited by President Macron to be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

The beautiful procession, which included military contingents from India, was held in Paris’ Champs-Élysées under clear, sunny sky.

The 25th anniversary of the two nations’ strategic cooperation falls this year as well.