Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to France on July 13 and 14. His visit’s major objective is the anticipated purchase of 26 Rafale-M for India’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The Indian Navy prefers Rafale-M over the US Boeing’s F/A 18 Super Hornet fighter, hence the deal.
In 1998, India and France established a solid strategic alliance that is based on the key areas such as nuclear, space, and defense cooperation. In these areas, France has always backed India, even during times of international strife. According to reports, Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has given Safran permission to collaborate with India on a project. This involves the creation of an engine for India’s twin-engine Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft [AMCA] and the twin-engine deck-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers.
The French multinational company Safran S.A. creates, develops, and produces rocket and aircraft engines, as well as other aerospace and defense-related machinery or its parts. Additionally, Safran, a company with a presence in India and an MRO facility for LEAP engines and the M-88 engine, aims to create a gas turbine technology center there. High-end metallurgical software tools and complete design capabilities will be available at this center.
A deal to manufacture General Electric GE F-414 jet engines in India for the Tejas-2 fighter aircraft with 80% knowledge transfer was signed by India and the US last month. 31 MQ-9B drones were also purchased as part of the transaction. Now, France is reportedly offering a full transfer of technology for the co-development of a new 110kN high-thrust jet engine to power the AMCA fifth-generation stealth jet. The French proposal includes a completely new engine with cutting-edge technology and components as well as an Indian production base.
France has promised unrestricted access to sensitive matters in the co-production of an engine. This demonstrates France’s commitment to cooperation. Contrary to the United States, which has a patchy record when it comes to providing India and its allies with military equipment, France has a solid reputation as a trustworthy defense provider.
The US has in the past impeded or delayed supply of parts and training. France, unlike competitors, will not restrict access to critical tech in the co-production of this engine. This demonstrates France’s focus on cooperation. Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] TEJAS has a reliable defence supply and history which is well placed in India, contrasting the arms embargo on India in 1998. In contrast, France has shown itself to be a trusted defence partner. With France initially assisting India in the production of Centaure-sounding rockets, India and France have had a long-standing relationship in space technology. The first Indian Satellite Telecommunication Experimental Project [STEP] utilized the French satellite, Symphonie, leading to the Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment [APPLE] launch by the Ariane.
Although not the newest, the Rafale jets that France sold to India are crucial to the French Air Force. France might be establishing a new industrial base and preserving the viability of its innovations by sharing its know-how and goods. These technologies will keep playing a big role in the world. India’s participation could hasten its technical advancement.
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