France pledges full support for India's Defense: nuclear submarines, jet engines, and drone technology.

According to information published by Hindustan Times on September 22, 2024, the strategic defense partnership between India and France is set to enter a new phase, with the French government offering full support for the development of nuclear attack submarines, jet engines, and advanced underwater drones.
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French and Indian flags. (Picture source: French MFA)

These critical topics will be part of the India-France strategic dialogue, scheduled from September 30 to October 1 in Paris. The dialogue will involve India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, and French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne.

A key highlight of this meeting is France’s proposal to support India in constructing nuclear-powered submarines, an area of growing strategic importance for the Indian Navy. Additionally, France has offered a 100% transfer of technology (ToT) for 110 kilo-Newton thrust aircraft engines. These engines are vital for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, and France's aerospace giant Safran has committed to jointly developing, certifying, and producing these engines alongside India, ensuring sovereign control over their design and production.

France's offer to share its expertise in building nuclear attack submarines aligns with India’s increasing focus on enhancing its naval power, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Navy has expressed a pressing need to build two nuclear attack submarines for future operations, and France's expertise could play a pivotal role in this expansion. France has also committed to delivering full-spectrum autonomous systems to enhance India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the air, surface, and underwater domains, ensuring greater protection for Indian naval assets.

Negotiations are underway for India’s Navy to acquire 26 Rafale-Maritime fighter jets from France to enhance its aircraft carrier capabilities. The two nations are also moving forward on building three new Kalvari-class diesel attack submarines under India’s Project 75.

The defense cooperation between India and France is complemented by shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations are resident powers in the region and have committed to deepening cooperation, particularly in the Indian Ocean. The strategic dialogue will also cover pressing geopolitical issues, including the situation in the Middle East, where commercial shipping has come under threat from Houthi forces, as well as regional concerns like Bangladesh and the upcoming elections in Sri Lanka.