NSA Ajit Doval France have developed a strong strategic alliance in recent years, characterised by joint ventures in a number of industries, such as aerospace, energy, and defence. The most recent development in this strengthening partnership is that France fully supports India’s efforts to transfer cutting-edge technologies, with a particular emphasis on jet engines, nuclear submarines, and underwater drones. This move, a turning point in Indo-French relations, not only underscores France’s will to support India’s defence capabilities but also the global geopolitical trend towards more Indo-Pacific cooper

France’s Assured Delivery of Cutting-Edge Defence Technology to I France’s resolve to fully support India in defence technology is motivated by a number of important considerations, such as India’s increasing prominence as a global force, reciprocal worries about regional security, and shared strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific area. The development of advanced jet engines, the transfer of nuclear submarine technology, and the use of underwater drones to improve maritime surveillance are just a few of the crucial sectors that the French government has made it plain it supports.

Developing Nuclear Submarines to Boost India’s Naval Power

NSA Ajit Doval

The French help in the nuclear submarine industry is one of the most important aspects of this partnership. India is eager to strengthen its naval capabilities in order to defend its maritime boundaries and project influence in the area because of its extensive coastline and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. France possesses a demonstrated track record in submarine technology, particularly through its affiliation with Naval Group. The two countries have collaborated on the Scorpène-class submarine project.

For India’s navy, the transfer of nuclear submarine technology will be revolutionary. India currently has one nuclear-powered submarine under its own sail, the INS Arihant, but more submarines are desperately needed to address challenges to the area, especially those posed by China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.

Jet Engines: Encouraging the Aviation Sector in India

The development of jet engines is a crucial component of France’s defence cooperation with India. In order to power its combat aircraft and lessen its need on foreign suppliers, India has long tried to develop its own jet engine technology. India’s efforts in this direction should be aided by the partnership with France, especially through Safran, a French multinational engaged in the manufacture of rocket engines and aeroplanes.

Transferring high-performance jet engine technology to India would boost the country’s aerospace sector and assist the air force in updating its aircraft. This partnership would greatly help India’s Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) programme and upcoming domestic fighter planes by enabling the country to develop more sophisticated and potent engines domestically. This fits

Drones Underwater: Improving Maritime Monitoring

India is also being extended an invitation by France to utilise cutting-edge underwater drone technology as part of a larger framework for defence cooperation. Especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where France and India have strategic interests, these drones are essential for enhancing maritime surveillance. Since France has colonies and a sizable military presence in the Indian Ocean, cooperation with India is essential to maintaining security and stability in the region.

Drones operating underwater are essential for surveillance, coastal defence, and anti-submarine warfare. They offer real-time capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), which are critical in contemporary naval combat. These drones will assist India in protecting its naval installations, monitoring vital maritime passages, and identifying subsurface dangers. This transfer of technology will furthermore

The Defence Partnership Between India and France: Wider Consequences

The choice by France to back India in these high-tech defence domains is indicative of the two countries’ greater strategic convergence. The Indo-Pacific region should be free, open, and inclusive, and both nations’ defence cooperation is a logical extension of this ambition. India and France, along with other like-minded countries, are becoming more concerned with preserving the balance of power and guaranteeing the security of crucial sea lanes as China continues to impose its influence in the area.

Furthermore, India’s diversified defence procurement policy, which aims to forge several foreign alliances rather than depending on any one nation for essential defence technology, is shown by the Indo-French collaboration. Additionally, this diversification improves India’s standing.

In summary

A new era in Indo-French ties has begun with France’s all-encompassing support in the areas of jet engines, underwater drones, and nuclear submarines. This partnership shows a strong strategic alignment between the two countries while also strengthening India’s defence capabilities. The Indo-French defence alliance will be essential to preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific as the world’s security environment changes. It will also help India advance its technology and defence capabilities.