India France Set Course for Enhanced Defense Partnership

India-France defense partnership expands.

The strategic defense partnership between India and France is poised to advance significantly, as the Emmanuel Macron administration is prepared to discuss and back the construction of nuclear attack submarines. Additionally, France will offer complete technology transfer for 110 kilo-Newton thrust aircraft engines and fully capable underwater drones to India.

These topics are on the agenda for the India-France strategic dialogue scheduled for September 30 to October 1, involving National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Macron’s diplomatic advisor, in Paris. This marks the first bilateral strategic engagement following Macron’s visit to India in January.

During his trip, Doval is also expected to meet with Macron to update the French President on India’s initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Macron has expressed strong support for India’s efforts to engage with Russia to help end the war and address its impacts on the Global South.

India France Set Course for Enhanced Defense Partnership This month, Doval visited Russia to brief President Vladimir Putin on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 23 regarding efforts to end the war. India and France are already cooperating in emerging areas of potential future conflicts, including space; Doval signed a letter of intent for military satellites with French Defence Minister Sebastian Lecornu during Macron’s visit to India as the chief guest on Republic Day.

The French offer for submarines coincides with the Indian Navy’s growing emphasis under the Modi government on the need to develop two nuclear attack submarines for future operations. Additionally, France has proposed comprehensive autonomous systems for India across air, surface, and underwater domains to enhance its ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities and safeguard Indian naval assets like submarines.

India France Set Course for Enhanced Defense Partnership  Doval will also aim to advance discussions regarding an offer from Kolkata-born Safran Engines Chairman Ross McInnes, who visited India last week. Safran, which assisted ISRO in developing space rocket engines in the 1970s, has proposed to jointly design, develop, certify, and produce 110 kN engines for India’s future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, including 100% technology transfer for hot engine sections.

The company will also provide training in advanced metallurgy for Indian engineers. The jointly developed engine will be sovereign property of India, allowing for unrestricted export to third countries. Additionally, Safran has offered assistance in upgrading this engine for future AMCA versions.

France has a longstanding reputation as a reliable supplier of advanced weaponry to India, and this partnership is crucial for India’s strategic autonomy.

India France Set Course for Enhanced Defense Partnership  As India and France negotiate the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Maritime fighters for India’s two aircraft carriers, the French Naval Group will also collaborate to build three additional Kalvari-class diesel attack submarines for India under Project 75. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force is considering purchasing more Rafale fighters to replenish its dwindling squadron strength.

India France Set Course for Enhanced Defense Partnership  While defense and security will be the primary focus of the September 30 dialogue, Doval and Bonne are also expected to address other areas of shared interest and alignment.

France and India have agreed to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Indian Ocean, as both countries are resident powers. The two advisors will also discuss the Middle East conflict and the targeting of commercial shipping by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. France is particularly interested in the India-Middle East Economic Corridor and has appointed a special envoy to support this ambitious initiative.

Additionally, the situation in Bangladesh and the upcoming elections in Sri Lanka will be included in the discussions under the strategic dialogue framework.