NB Explains | Horizon 2047: Safran, DRDO, HAL & more defence players continue to strengthen India-France defence ties

A roadmap on this project will be prepared between French company Safran and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before the end of this year.

NewsBharati 15-Jul-2023 12:16:22 PM

Total Views | 120

New Delhi, Jul 15: In a significant decision, India and France on Friday (Jul 14) decided to extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine.

A roadmap on this project will be prepared between French company Safran and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before the end of this year. They also decided to support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with Safran Helicopter Engine. The announcement was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The two leaders adopted ‘Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations’. The statement on partnership for security and sovereignty talked about building sovereign defence capabilities together. It said that France is one of India’s key partners in the development of a self-reliant defence industrial and technological base.

Also read: Zen Technologies wins export orders worth Rs 340 crores

“India and France are committed to cooperating in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries,” it said. “In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India. In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. (A roadmap on this project will be prepared[TT1] [P2] between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year.) They also support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with Safran Helicopter Engine, France,” the statement said.

Honored to have represented @SAFRAN at the India - France CEO Forum, where we had very stimulating discussions with our Indian partners on #decarbonization and strategic partnerships in manufacturing - two areas of excellence for @Safran. https://t.co/zrWmIWnqp4 pic.twitter.com/HggPHKP6M8
— Philippe Errera (@PhilippeErrera) July 14, 2023

It said that to enable progress on the IMRH programme, a Shareholders’ Agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France has been concluded for engine development. “These ventures are in line with the spirit of trust that prevails between India and France in the sharing and joint development of critical components and technology building blocks, based on the successful Indo-French experience in technology transfer,” it said.

Also read: Indian Rafale M to be equipped with Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles

India had been in an advanced stage of discussions with French firms for co-developing engines for fifth-generation fighter and IMRH being developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Discussions with the French firms have going on for co-developing high powered engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, government sources shared with media.

The Indian aerospace public sector unit Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had also been in talks with French firms for the co-development of an engine for the Indian multirole helicopter being developed by HAL for multiple roles in the above 12-tonne class. The negotiations between the DRDO and French engine maker Safran had been “progressing well” where the deal would be for stronger engines for both the planned versions of the indigenous AMCA aircraft. The specifications of the AMCA are planned in a way that they would require very strong engines.