India-France Defence Cooperation Grows Beyond Rafale Fighters

India and France are steadily expanding their defence partnership beyond the Rafale fighter jet, with both countries placing greater emphasis on joint production, advanced technology, aerospace manufacturing and long-term industrial cooperation. The Rafale has been one of the most visible symbols of the India-France strategic relationship. However, recent developments indicate that defence cooperation between the two countries is becoming broader and more technology-focused, covering submarines, aircraft engines, missiles, helicopters, maintenance and emerging defence technologies.

The changing nature of the relationship reflects India's growing focus on strengthening domestic defence manufacturing while working with trusted international partners. For France, India is increasingly viewed not only as a major defence customer but also as an important industrial and strategic partner. The two countries have agreed to deepen cooperation in the co-design, co-development and co-production of defence equipment. During high-level talks in 2026, India and France also highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including through a proposed Joint Advanced Technology Development Group.

The submarine programme is already one of the strongest examples of this approach. Six Kalvari-class submarines based on the French Scorpene design have been built in India with French assistance under Project 75. The delivery of the sixth submarine, INS Vaghsheer, in January 2025 marked the completion of the original six-submarine programme. The experience gained through the Scorpene project has helped strengthen India's domestic shipbuilding capabilities while creating a foundation for further cooperation in underwater warfare technologies. India and France have also discussed future submarine cooperation and technologies associated with air-independent propulsion.

Aircraft engine technology is another area that could become increasingly important. India has been seeking greater self-reliance in aero-engine development, and French company Safran has emerged as a significant partner in this effort. Cooperation involving Safran and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is being explored in areas including helicopter and aircraft engines. The importance of engine technology goes far beyond a single military platform. Developing the ability to manufacture and maintain advanced aircraft engines could support India's wider ambitions in fighter aircraft, helicopters and other aerospace programmes.

Missile manufacturing is also becoming part of the expanding partnership. Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran have moved towards manufacturing HAMMER air-to-ground missiles in India, giving Indian industry a greater role in the production and supply of advanced weapons. The aerospace relationship is growing at the same time. A final assembly line for Airbus H125 helicopters involving Tata Advanced Systems in India represents another step towards building a stronger domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. Although the H125 is primarily a civil helicopter, such projects can contribute to India's broader industrial capabilities and supply chains.

Maintenance and repair are also receiving greater attention. French companies are expanding their maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in India, including facilities connected with aircraft engines. Local MRO capability can help reduce turnaround times and limit the need to send expensive military equipment overseas for major maintenance. The partnership is also moving into newer technological areas. India and France are looking to strengthen cooperation in advanced defence technologies, space and other strategic sectors. Such cooperation could become particularly important as militaries increasingly depend on sophisticated sensors, secure communications, autonomous systems, electronic technologies and space-based capabilities.

France offers an important combination of advanced technology, industrial cooperation and strategic flexibility. New Delhi has traditionally sought to avoid excessive dependence on a single foreign defence supplier, making diversified partnerships an important part of its defence strategy. France, meanwhile, sees India as an increasingly important power in the Indo-Pacific and a major market for defence and aerospace products. Cooperation with Indian companies also offers opportunities to develop manufacturing and supply-chain links in one of the world's fastest-growing major economies.

The Rafale will remain an important part of the relationship, particularly with India's acquisition of Rafale-Marine aircraft for carrier operations. But the future of India-France defence cooperation is likely to be measured by much more than fighter aircraft. With submarines, missile production, engine technology, helicopter manufacturing, MRO and advanced technology cooperation all expanding, India and France are gradually moving towards a deeper defence-industrial partnership. The bigger story, therefore, is not simply what India buys from France. It is whether the two countries can increasingly design, develop and manufacture advanced defence systems together, while strengthening India's domestic technological and industrial capabilities.