India and France have declared a collaborative effort to develop a combat aircraft engine and engine for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH), a project by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

This announcement marks a significant step in bilateral relations between the two nations, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron conclude their talks, laying down a roadmap for their relationship through 2047.

According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, both nations are set to expand their defense cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. The initiative includes industrial collaboration for the motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the IMRH programme with Safran Helicopter Engine, France. This collaboration has been solidified by a Shareholders’ Agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France.

This venture is representative of the mutual trust between India and France, rooted in the successful past experiences of technology transfer and joint development of critical components. It has been reported that a project roadmap will be finalized between Safran and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by the end of the year.

Speaking at the joint press statement, PM Modi emphasized that defense cooperation has been a significant pillar of India-France relations, symbolizing deep trust between the two countries. He mentioned ongoing discussions around the co-development and co-production of defense equipment, which also includes exporting to third countries.

Further evidence of this defense industrial partnership is the contract between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the technology transfer of “forging and castings” for the Shakti engine, demonstrating France’s commitment to support Make in India initiative.

The announcement coincides with India’s Defence Acquisition Council’s approval for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighters and three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines from France, although no further details were released during the joint press conference.

Adding to this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between India’s Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and France’s Naval Group for the construction of three additional submarines under the P75 programme. The joint statement indicates both nations’ readiness to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet.

Reflecting on the surge in defense industrial collaborations, India is planning to establish a technical office of the DRDO at the Indian embassy in Paris.

  Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, Emmanuel Macron, France, helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Make in India, Narendra Modi, submarine