Two mega-defence deals of over $10 billion between India and France are on the way and both the strategic partners are now ready to take this relation to the next level. These deals include purchase of 26 Rafale- M for Indian carriers aircraft and three more Scorpene- class submarines to enhance Indian navy and over all defense system. The agreements are expected to be cleared by the Cabinet Standing Committee on Security (CCS) in the coming weeks.
Rafale M Aircraft Carrier Aircraft for Vikrant
One of the major features of these agreements is the purchase of 26 Rafale-M (Marine) for improving the operations of Indian Navy’s embarked aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The Rafale-M is essentially an aircraft carrier based version of the famous Rafale multirole fighter aircraft. With sophisticated avionics, new generation weapon systems and enhanced maneuverability, these jets will enhance Indian maritime air power and combat effectiveness and enhance strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific Region. This also points to modrernisation of India’s naval forces and ensure the country has better technology than the adversaries in the region.
Scorpene-Class Submarines: Enhancing Submarines Capabilities
However, in order to build the necessary underwater defense, India is also going to purchase 3 more of Scorpene class conventional submarines besides the Rafale-M jets. These submarines refers to the P-75 program which was jointly produced in India with France’s Naval Group. The features of these submarines include their stealth design, latest and improved advanced sonar and systems as well as an enhanced and longer operational endurance. This deal is in line with the Indian strategy of upgrading and expanding the country’s underwater war fighting capabilities that has emerged due to new threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
PM Modi to visit Paris
The signing of these defence deals comes just when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit Paris in February for the Artificial Intelligence(AI) Action Summit to be held in France, hosted by President, Emmanuel Macron. This visit should strengthen the bilateral cooperation in defense and more advanced information technology fields such as artificial intelligence and new age military equipment. One can expect the summit to boast the prospects of improving cooperation in developing key technologies for defense and security.
French Aircraft Carrier Calls on Indian Coast
The French Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, FNS Charles de Gaulle arrived in Mormugao port in Goa on January 4 to resupply during its Mission CLEMENCEAU 25. The carrier, equipped with Rafale Marine jets, is set to participate joint exercises with the Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets in Goa and Kochi. Such an activity reflects a strong defense cooperation and integration of the actions of the two countries.
Conclusion
The increasing defense cooperation between India and France show how they want to improve the security situation in the region and in the world. Essentially, completion of such elaborate, big-ticket defense contracts, along with exercises, symbolises a growing bonding of interests. It can be expected that the further development of the defense cooperation in the upcoming bilateral meetings will increase the already strong strategic partnership between India and France as the foundation of the international security and technical cooperation.
