“We were the best partners in the Make-in-India policy from the start.” “Now that India has adopted the Atma Nirbhar policy, we are also there for India,” stated French Envoy Emmanuel Lenain. Mr. Lenain stated that France is willing to co-develop equipment and exchange know-how with India.
This statement marks a beginning of new world order favouring India as India initially sought foreign defence players to manufacture and assemble equipment for employment generation, but now aims to acquire the technology behind these machines to reduce reliance on costly foreign purchases.
India’s defense expenditure for FY 2023 is set at Rs 2.71 lakh crores ($33 billion), with 99% of equipment sourced domestically, reducing defense imports by 11% marks a significant step towards it. The Indian Armed Forces will procure indigenous weapons worth Rs 70,500 crores ($8.7bn), while defense exports have increased tenfold, reaching an all-time high of ₹15,918 crore in FY 2022-23. India aims for defense manufacturing worth Rs 1,75,000 crore ($21.4bn) and Rs 35,000 crore ($4.3Bn) in defense exports by 2024-25, establishing itself as a global defense hub.
Despite defense scams and challenges in the pre 2014 era, the Modi Government has made significant progress in upgrading India’s defense capabilities. Its approach involves fiscal management through reduced imports, increased exports, technology transfer, and joint collaborations rather than outright purchases of equipment.
India faces challenges in modern warfare technology despite ambitious aims. The Project-75 submarine program and indigenously made LCA have encountered delays and shortcomings. The development of the TEDBF for the navy is still in progress. As a stop-gap measure, India needs to procure marine aircrafts and submarines from France, which will enhance the Indian Navy’s capabilities and strengthen deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Another major worry of the Indian armed forces is its inability to develop fifth Gen Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with High Thrust 110kN engine for the upgraded Mk2 version of the jet that can deter foes like China from acting against the interests of India.
PM Modi Ji’s visit to France on 13 & 14th July 2023 was aimed at resolving these issues of the Indian Defense. On 14 July PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade in Paris as the guest of honour where a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent marched down the Champs-Elysées, while Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets took to the sky in the flypast. PM Modi Ji was conferred with the France’s highest Civilian award ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour’ by the French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace.
France has offered complete knowledge transfer in exchange for co-development of a 110kN high-thrust jet engine to power India’s AMCA Mk-2 stealth jet. This follows India’s historic deal with the US for co-manufacturing GE F-414 jet engines, involving 80% technology transfer. India has struggled to develop its own combat jet engine, facing setbacks with the HF-24 Marut and LCA projects. While China’s J-20 uses Russian-made engines, India aims to bridge the technology gap through collaborations with France and the US. TheGas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru previously worked on indigenous engines, but Kaveri engine prototypes failed to meet required parameters for powering a fighter, generating only 70.4 kN thrust instead of the needed 81 kN, leading to a 642% cost overrun and a 13-year delay, as per a 2011 CAG report.
Since the 70.4 kN thrust engine cannot satisfy the requirement on Indian parameters the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), will develop AMCA with a first of its kind high-thrust 110 kN engine to meet supercruise requirements in the Mk2 version along with France. AMCA MK-2 will be a 5th Generation engine with features like Field Stage 2 (situation awareness) sensor fusion, Stage 3 (Decision assist) or Stage 4 (Automated decision) sensor fusion. AMCA MK-2 will have provisions to add features like Supercruise, supermaneuverability, and situational awareness along with evolving technologies such as loyal wingman & drone swarm control.
France and India have already developed scorpene class submarines through collaboration (six Kalvari submarines by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited), the Airbus deal to manufacture C-295 tactical transport aircraft in Gujarat and have agreed to establish low and medium power modular nuclear reactors.
India and France have also signed agreements for industrial cooperation in developing an engine for India’s multi-role helicopter program with Safran and HAL with Safran establishing its largest Aero Engine Maintainance facility in India, and technology transfer for the Shakti engine, along with collaboration on a surface ship meeting India and international naval forces’ requirements. India is also buying 11 offshore patrol vessels, six missile vessels and 13 fire control systems for the Navy. 4.4 Billion Dollars.
India and France are working on a roadmap for defense industrial cooperation, establishing a technical office of DRDO in Paris, deepening collaboration in clean energy, space technology, counterterrorism, and promoting student exchanges between the two nations.
PM Modi’s leadership aims to establish the Indian Rupee as a global currency and is aggressively pushing it across several countries through its payment platform called UPI. UPI will be launched in France and Europe through an agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and France’s Lyra Collect with Eiffel Tower as its first merchant.
France and India take satisfaction in being their own masters in collective fora, as nuclear powers with formidable national forces and capacities, as well as free thinkers forging their own perspectives on global issues. The motto of French President Emmanuel Macron, “allied but not aligned,” mirrors the assertion of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar that India is “entitled to have its own side.”
In addition, India aspires to diversify its purchase beyond Russia by prioritising political dependability and confidence in selecting France as defence contracts are based not only on the quality of the equipment but also on the assurance of ongoing supply. Beyond buyer-seller relationships, India seeks technology cooperation and co-production. PM Modi and Macron retain strong ties with big states while avoiding Cold War-style bloc competition.
PM Modi has pursued autonomy by raising India’s nuclear weapons profile and establishing military and economic ties with a number of world countries, including the United States, France, and Japan. As a result of its transformation from a struggling underdeveloped nation to an emerging economy and then to a rising power, India now has a seat at many tables, including the four-nation Quad, the BRICS grouping, the G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and bolstered its claim to permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
In conclusion, India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence, its efforts to establish the Indian currency globally, and its strategic partnerships with France have marked a significant shift in its approach to national security and international relations. With a focus on indigenous manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint collaborations, India is steadily upgrading its defence capabilities, reducing dependency on foreign equipment, and positioning itself as a key player in the global defence landscape. The strengthened cooperation with France, as well as other major powers, exemplifies India’s commitment to charting its own course in the evolving geopolitical landscape, further solidifying its position as a rising power on the world stage.
Author : Prasad Raje Bhopale
Disclaimer : The views, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this blogs belong solely to the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of author’s employer, organisation, committee or any other group or individual.
