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Ready to meet any requirement for Rafale jets, says French defence minister
French defence minister Florence Parly made the remarks during a virtual conversation organised by Ananta Centre on India-France cooperation to defend a rules-based Indo-Pacific, before her meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh
France stands ready to meet any requirement for more Rafale combat jets from India even as it works to bolster the Make in India initiative by integrating Indian manufacturers into global supply chains, French defence minister Florence Parly said on Friday.
Parly noted China’s behaviour in the region is becoming “more and more aggressive”, and France seeks to find a “delicate balance” between addressing such behaviour and cooperating with China on issues such as climate change and trade.
She made the remarks during a virtual conversation organised by Ananta Centre on India-France cooperation to defend a rules-based Indo-Pacific, before her meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh. Defence industrial cooperation, including future collaborations and co-production, also figured in the discussions between the two ministers.
“I am very happy that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is satisfied with its Rafales, and we are very proud that despite Covid the 36 aircraft will be delivered on time according to the contract. It’s a real achievement,” Parly said, responding to whether France would provide more Rafale combat aircraft to India.
She described the use of Rafale jets by the air forces of both countries as a “real asset and strength” for bilateral cooperation, and said: “I am sure that there is room for new developments. We are ready to answer any additional needs [or] request that could be made by India.”
Parly, who is on an official visit to India to enhance strategic and defence ties, further noted that more aircraft will be needed for India’s new aircraft carrier. “We are open and ready to provide any other Rafales if this is India’s decision,” she said.
India and France inked a ₹59,000-crore deal for 36 Rafale jets in 2016. All the aircraft are being manufactured in France to Indian specifications. Parly attended the event marking the induction of the first batch of Rafales into IAF in July 2020. France has so far delivered 33 of the jets.
India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is expected to become fully operational in 2022.
Parly also outlined France’s commitment to backing the Make in India initiative, especially for defence hardware. “France, more than any other country, understands the necessity of the Indian content and we are fully committed to the Make in India initiative as well as to the further integration of Indian manufacturers into our global supply chains,” she said.
Make in India, she said, has been a “reality for French industry” for several years, particularly for defence equipment such as submarines.
Parly responded to another question on the potential impact on India-France relations of the AUKUS alliance between Australia, the UK and the US by asserting that France “is an Indo-Pacific country” since it has 1.6 million citizens in the region.
“So, we are an Indian-Indo-Pacific country and we want to develop a very close multilateral relationship with the neighbouring countries. Of course, India is at the centre of this strategy...,” Parly said.
The situation in Afghanistan, India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, the standoff with China on the Line of Actual Control, joint exercises, maritime security and new projects figured in the third annual defence dialogue between Parly and Singh, officials familiar with the discussions said. There was a focus on aerospace cooperation, and the Indian side noted French companies can collaborate with India firms or produce in the country under the Make in India initiative. Both sides shared their concerns on the situation in Afghanistan, the officials said.
The two ministers reviewed military-to-military cooperation and discussed ways to increase defence cooperation in all domains, the defence ministry said. “Defence industrial cooperation was discussed with focus on future collaborations and co-production between the two countries,” it added.
