In a significant boost to bilateral ties, India and France have renewed their defense cooperation agreement for the next decade, paving the way for local manufacturing of the advanced Hammer missiles. The announcement came during high-level talks in Bengaluru between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin.
The meeting, part of the sixth India-France Annual Defense Dialogue, underscored a deepening strategic partnership amid evolving global security challenges. Key decisions included joint development and production of defense equipment, technology sharing, and stronger industry linkages.
At the heart of the discussions was the Hammer missile—a precision-guided, air-to-surface weapon with medium range, integral to France’s Rafale fighters already in service with the Indian Air Force. An MoU was signed between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defense to establish a joint venture for producing these missiles in India, aligning perfectly with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
This move not only enhances India’s self-reliance in advanced weaponry but also strengthens the operational capabilities of its air force, especially as negotiations for additional Rafale jets continue. The pact renewal, signed by India’s Defense Secretary and France’s Deputy Director General for International Relations and Strategy, signals long-term commitment.
Further, both nations agreed to reciprocal officer deployments between their army establishments, fostering better military coordination, shared expertise, and joint operational readiness. Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region, while addressing cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan as a major threat.
Catherine Vautrin praised the hospitality and welcomed upgrading joint military exercises to annual events. This dialogue marks a pivotal step in fortifying India-France defense relations, ensuring stability in a critical geopolitical landscape.