France offers special defense to India in Rafale planes and Panther helicopters

New delhi date. Saturday, January 9, 2021

The 34th India-France Strategic Dialogue took place. Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser for India and Emanuel Bonn, Advisor to President Macron for France. In these talks, a very important defense sector agreement has been reached between the two countries.

In the India-France dialogue, France has made a special defense offer to India. In a bid to further strengthen the Indo-French partnership, France has indicated its readiness to provide 100 per cent assembly line to India in Penruther helicopters. Not only that, France is also ready to provide up to 70 per cent assembly line in Rafale aircraft.

France has indicated its readiness to provide technical assistance following India's request. This will allow India to buy more Rafale aircraft from France. India and France have struck a deal for 36 Rafale aircraft, but under the Make in India project, India has expressed its determination to build defense equipment in the country. Under the project, France is ready to provide technique and assembly line to India.

Media reports citing French officials claimed that if India approved the deal, it would get the raffle at a much cheaper price. According to reports, India is seriously considering buying medium helicopters for the Navy. In the meantime, France's offer of Penruther helicopters could prove to be very important.

The issue of China and the Indian Ocean between India and France was also discussed during the dialogue. France has also offered India to conduct joint naval exercises with the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.