From Rafale to subs: India-France seal ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ – Why it matters | World News

New Delhi: India and France have elevated their defense relations to a new strategic level, opening a bigger page in military cooperation, from fighter jets to submarines and emerging technologies. In high-level talks held in Mumbai on February 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to expand bilateral ties into what has been described as a Special Global Strategic Partnership.

The decision demonstrates the increasing level of trust between the two countries in critical security areas. Approval has been received for the Indian Navy to purchase 26 carrier-based Rafale-Marine fighter jets. Plans for the procurement of 114 new multi-role fighter jets for the Indian Air Force have also been advanced. The partnership places great emphasis on co-design and co-production of advanced defense systems in India. It indicates a long-term industrial and operational partnership.

India’s first private helicopter assembly facility in the field of aerospace manufacturing became operational in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The unit will support local production and future exports.

Both countries also increased cooperation on space security, cyber power and maritime monitoring. This expanded defense partnerships into new areas.

Soldier-to-military engagement will gain institutional momentum. Officers from both countries’ armed forces will begin cross-deployment from 2026. The initiative is expected to build operational familiarity and strengthen organizational understanding across services.

Defense aviation cooperation has recorded one of the most visible leaps. In addition to the commissioning of Rafale-Marine for aircraft carriers, local production is also included in the talks regarding the 114 fighter jet program. French engine manufacturer Safran will work with Indian partners to produce fighter jet engines in India. The move is expected to strengthen domestic capacity in advanced propulsion technology.

Missile and weapon manufacturing has also entered a new phase. India’s Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran will jointly manufacture HAMMER precision guided munitions locally. The localization plan aims to expand indigenous weapons integration on air platforms.

Leaders of both countries inaugurated the final assembly line of the H125 helicopter in India. The project, implemented in partnership with Tata-Airbus, represents the first private sector helicopter production ecosystem in the country and is expected to serve both the domestic and international markets.

Submarine cooperation is another pillar of the partnership. The Scorpene submarine program under Project-75 has already delivered six submarines to the Indian Navy. These boats belong to the Scorpène-class submarine family developed in cooperation with France. Both countries agreed to continue working together on next-generation submarine technologies and undersea systems.

Joint military exercises will continue to support operational synergy. Bilateral exercises such as Varuna, Shakti and Garuda will increase in scale and complexity, strengthening interoperability between naval, land and air forces.

A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group will be created to focus on emerging and critical technologies. The platform will foster collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, next-generation sensors and networked combat systems. Space defense cooperation will also intensify. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization will work with France’s Directorate General of Armaments on space situational awareness and orbital security.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared vision for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. The expanded partnership demonstrates a long-term convergence between New Delhi and Paris in terms of strategic interests, industrial capacity and defense preparedness.