India has placed co-design, co-development, and co-production at the centre of its upgraded defence partnership with France. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged French officials to increase indigenous manufacturing content in Rafale fighter jets built by Dassault Aviation, aiming for up to 50% local production.
This proposal is expected to be included in Dassault’s bid for 114 multirole fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, one of India’s biggest defence acquisition plans. The initiative aligns with India’s Make in India programme and focuses on building domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
The upgraded defence cooperation framework was strengthened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated bilateral ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during talks in Mumbai.
Both countries are also expanding collaboration in defence aeronautics, including marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy and combat engine development with French engine manufacturer Safran. The partnership represents a shift from a buyer-seller model to a long-term industrial and strategic defence alliance.
