In a significant decision, India and France on Friday decided to extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. A roadmap on this project will be prepared between French company Safran and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before the end of this year.
They also decided to support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) programme with Safran Helicopter Engine.
The announcement was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The two leaders adopted ‘Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations’.
The statement on partnership for security and sovereignty talked about building sovereign defence capabilities together.
It said that France is one of India’s key partners in the development of a self-reliant defence industrial and technological base.
“India and France are committed to cooperating in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries,” it said.
“In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India. In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. (A roadmap on this project will be prepared[TT1] [P2] between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year.) They also support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with Safran Helicopter Engine, France,” the statement said.
It said that to enable progress on the IMRH programme, a Shareholders’ Agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France has been concluded for engine development.
“These ventures are in line with the spirit of trust that prevails between India and France in the sharing and joint development of critical components and technology building blocks, based on the successful Indo-French experience in technology transfer,” it said.
India had been in an advanced stage of discussions with French firms for co-developing engines for fifth-generation fighter and IMRH being developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Discussions with the French firms have going on for co-developing high powered engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, government sources had told ANI. (Economic Times)
