PARIS/NEW DELHI: France and India are set to enter a new phase of defence cooperation with plans to jointly produce Rafale fighter jets and helicopters French President Emmanuel Macron announced adding that France hopes to sell additional submarines to India.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council recently cleared the acquisition of 114 more Rafale jets marking a new step forward in bilateral defence ties. So far India has purchased 36 jets for its air force and 26 marine versions for the navy. Reports indicate the new deal could cost $35.65 billion, with up to 90 jets expected to be co-produced in India through a yet to be named joint venture.
During his visit, Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the first H125 helicopter assembly line in India via a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems and announced plans to jointly produce HAMMER missiles with Safran and Bharat Electronics.
Macron emphasized the strategic importance of Rafale jets and expressed hopes to expand cooperation to submarines, building on India’s existing fleet of six French Scorpene submarines.
The announcements come amid heightened regional tensions following the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict which saw multiple Indian aircraft including Rafales shot down. The new deals aim to strengthen India’s defence capabilities and deepen Indo French military collaboration.
