Enhanced India-France defence cooperation will include Rafale M fighters
A French Rafale M lands aboard a US aircraft carrier. The Indian Navy has selected the French fighter to equip its newest aircraft carrier. (Photo: USN)
Extension of the Indo-French partnership will explore a new submarine project, co-development of fighter and helicopter engines, and an agreement for 26 Rafale M fighters for the Indian Navy (IN).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day parade on 14 July capped off India’s and France’s boosted bilateral relationship as they agreed to adopt the ‘Horizon 2047’ roadmap.
Shephard learned that opposition party criticism over the decision to buy Rafales, internal conflict in Manipur in India’s northeast, and pressure to change India’s neutral stand on the Russia-Ukraine war kept most announcements subdued.
Interestingly, it was a Dassault Aviation
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
Italy boosts UAV fleet with Jump-20 procurement and ScanEagle additions
The Jump-20 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) procurement will replace Italy’s RQ-7 Shadow UAS fleet.
-
Why is the US far behind Russia and China in the space warfare domain?
While Beijing and Moscow have been working on anti-satellite weapons at an accelerated speed, Washington still does not have capabilities to defeat them, with one US legislator describing the situation as “the Cuban Missile Crisis in space”.
-
UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement
Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
-
Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.