New Delhi | Amid growing speculation over India’s potential acquisition of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets, France is set to deepen its defence partnership with New Delhi, with a key focus on the joint production of the advanced HAMMER missile system in India.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin will meet India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on February 17 in Bengaluru. The two leaders will co-chair the sixth India–France Annual Defence Dialogue, where discussions are expected to include extending the bilateral defence cooperation agreement for another ten years and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint manufacturing of HAMMER missiles.
Defence Pact Likely to Be Extended for 10 Years
This will be Vautrin’s first official visit to India since assuming office in October 2025. According to defence officials, both sides are likely to renew their existing defence cooperation framework for another decade, reinforcing collaboration in technology transfer, joint training, military exercises, defence manufacturing, and strategic coordination.
The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the dialogue will help chart the future course of bilateral military ties, with particular emphasis on strengthening defence production and industrial partnerships.
HAMMER Missile Production in India
A major highlight of the meeting could be the signing of an MoU for the joint production of the HAMMER missile in India. HAMMER — Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range — is a precision-guided air-to-ground weapon capable of striking targets up to 70 kilometres away with high accuracy.
The missile is already integrated into the Indian Air Force’s Dassault Rafale fighter jets and has been operationally deployed. While the weapon was not part of the original 36 Rafale aircraft deal, it was later inducted through an emergency procurement process.
If manufacturing begins in India, it would significantly boost indigenous defence capabilities under the Make in India initiative and ensure faster availability during operational requirements. The missile is particularly effective against fortified and high-value targets, including those located in mountainous terrain.
114 Rafale Deal Under Discussion
Although no formal announcement is expected during this meeting, discussions surrounding India’s proposed purchase of 114 additional Rafale jets are gaining momentum. If the deal progresses, reports suggest that 96 of the aircraft could be manufactured in India, with the remaining delivered in fly-away condition.
French aerospace major Dassault Aviation is expected to play a key role in the project. Engine manufacturer Safran is already engaged in a joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for helicopter engine production in India.
Tata Airbus Helicopter Assembly Line to Be Inaugurated
During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to virtually inaugurate the Tata Airbus H-125 light utility helicopter final assembly line at Vemagal in Karnataka.
The H-125 helicopter will serve both civilian and security purposes. The project is considered a major milestone under the Make in India initiative and reflects the expanding industrial partnership between the two countries.
Enhanced Military Cooperation
The dialogue may also include an announcement regarding reciprocal postings of officers between the Indian Army and the French Army to strengthen operational coordination and mutual understanding. Such exchanges are aimed at improving joint training and strategic interoperability.
India and France already conduct regular joint military exercises, including Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force), which have strengthened their joint operational capabilities.
With strategic ties deepening and new defence manufacturing projects on the horizon, the upcoming dialogue is expected to mark another significant step in the long-standing India–France defence partnership.
