India To Establish DRDO Technical Office In France Embassy

India is opening a technical office of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) in its embassy in Paris. This move comes amid growing defence sector cooperation between the two countries.

According to the statement, France is one of India’s most important allies in developing a self-sufficient defence industrial and technological foundation, and the co-development and co-production of cutting-edge defence technologies for the benefit of third nations is a joint commitment of India and France.

“Both countries are also working towards the adoption of a Roadmap on Defence Industrial Cooperation”, it continued.

It was also stated that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official visit to France, during which he served as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade, the two countries praised the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale fighter jets ordered by India.

It went on to say, “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 between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year)”, the India-France joint communique read.

“The two leaders stood in support of Safran Helicopter Engine’s (France) industrial cooperation for the motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme”, it continued.

It further stated, “A shareholders’ agreement for engine development was reached between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India, and Safran Helicopter Engine, France, to facilitate the advancement of the IMRH programme”.

“Moreover, India and France hailed the success of the first Scorpene submarine construction programme (P75 – Kalvari), a model of Make in India and the sharing of naval expertise between companies in the two countries”, it reads.

The two countries also hailed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and Naval Group for the construction of three more submarines under the P75 programme.

According to the statement, India and France are willing to pursue further ambitious projects to improve the Indian submarine fleet’s performance.

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 two countries’ military-industry relationship, stated in the joint statement, adding that this reflects the French government’s commitment to encouraging technology transfer and Make in India.

On Friday, PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade as the Guest of Honour on France’s National Day, at the invitation of President Macron.

The magnificent procession, which included contingents from the Indian armed forces, took place in Paris under bright and clear skies on the Champs-Élysées.

This year also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the two countries strategic cooperation.

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