Bengaluru: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin in Bengaluru today. The high-level meeting is set to review bilateral defence cooperation and boost strategic and industrial partnerships between the two nations.
Focus on Defence Cooperation and Industrial Partnership
The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue will cover all aspects of defence collaboration, with a special focus on enhancing defence industrial cooperation.
Key agenda items include:
Renewal of the Defence Cooperation Agreement for the next 10 years
Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of Hammer missiles
Announcement on the mutual deployment of officers at Indian and French Army establishments
The dialogue is expected to further strengthen defence manufacturing and technology-sharing initiatives between the two countries.
Tata Airbus H-125 Helicopter Assembly Inauguration
The two defence ministers will also witness the virtual inauguration of the final assembly line of the Tata Airbus H-125 Light Utility Helicopter in Karnataka. The event will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The helicopter project marks a significant milestone in India-France defence manufacturing collaboration under the “Make in India” initiative.
Strong India-France Defence Relations
The defence sector remains a cornerstone of India-France strategic relations. High-level exchanges between the two countries in 2024–25 have reflected the deepening partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest at the Bastille Day Parade in July 2023 in France.
In 2024, President Emmanuel Macron attended India’s Republic Day Parade as the Chief Guest.
The recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership has also reinforced India’s defence ties with European nations.
Joint Military Exercises
India and France regularly conduct three major bilateral military exercises:
Exercise Shakti – Army-level exercise
Exercise Varuna – Naval exercise
Exercise Garuda – Air Force exercise
These exercises enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and strategic trust between the armed forces of both countries.
First India Visit by Catherine Vautrin as Defence Minister
This marks Catherine Vautrin’s first visit to India since assuming office as French Defence Minister on October 12, 2025.
The previous, 5th edition of the India-France Annual Defence Dialogue was held in France from October 11–13, 2023. The 6th edition in Bengaluru is expected to further solidify the India-France defence partnership, strengthen military cooperation, and expand defence manufacturing collaboration between the two strategic allies.
