Subhashis Mittra
The ongoing military cooperation between India and France got a boost during the recent Defence Minister-level talks which identified such tie ups as an important pillar of strategic partnership between both the countries.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Delhi came at a time when negotiations between India and France are in final stages for the Rs 50,000-crore deal for procuring 126 Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The two sides are also holding negotiations for a Rs 30,000- crore project for co-developing the Maitri surface-to-air missile defence system.
A highlight of the visit was France offering to move on from client-seller relationship to joint production of military hardware which could be exported to other countries.
The two countries held detailed discussions to further strengthen their defence ties including enhancement of their military exchanges.
After the meeting with Defence Minister A K Antony, his French counterpart said his country will soon sign an agreement for the over Rs 50,000 crore Rafale deal with India under which it will provide its guarantees for the proposed pact.
The French side has also proposed a major Aeronaval exercise with India in the Indian Ocean Region which could include the participation of nuclear propelled submarines and aircraft carriers along with fighter aircraft.
“We have gone beyond the client supplier relations. France is prepared to initiate codevelopment and co-production projects which could in future include exporting equipment to the third country markets,” Le Drian said.
On the 126 combat aircraft deal, the French Minister said negotiations were going on well but refused to predict any timeframe for signing the mega deal.
“There will be a framework Indo-French intergovernmental agreement for this contract, which will provide all the necessary guarantees of the French state… France guarantees the Transfer of Technology,” he said.
India had selected the Rafale aircraft 16 months ago after a long tendering process and the two sides are negotiating the contract since January 2012.
Asked if France was concerned over the delays in signing the contract, Le Drian said, “I am not at all concerned over the delays. The point is that you have to abide by the Indian procedures.
“This is a project of such great magnitude and everything has to be checked and explored so that there is no choke two years down the line that leads to the failure of the project… The project is moving at a normal and positive pace,” he said.
Explaining to a gathering that France will have an aircraft fleet of Rafale jets for nuclear weapons delivery capability, Le Drian said India has chosen the best aircraft for its requirements.
Dassault Aviation beat off stiff competition from six rivals from Russia, the US and Europe last year when India selected its state-of-the-art Rafale jet.
The huge but complicated contract would see the manufacture of the first 18 planes in France with the remainder to be produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a staterun Indian aerospace behemoth.
Dassault is reported to have reservations about the ability of HAL to produce the planes and its own financial liabilities.
The group said in February that it hoped to sign its first export contract this year for the aircraft, which has been in action in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali most recently.
The French Minister said the two sides have also discussed the progress in the Rs 30,000 crore Maitri Short Range-Surface to Air missile system, which would be jointly developed and produced by the DRDO and the French MBDA.
“This is important because this is a case of co-development. Both our countries will shortly marshal their energies and talents to build a new missile,” Le Drian said.
The French minister assured the Indian side of continuity of supplies for acquired equipment.
Le Drian said French companies respect French laws on prohibition of corruption. “This seems obvious, but I think it is better to recall this because all countries do not have the same obligations,” he said.
The French Minister said his country encourages India to come closer to international export regimes such as the Missile Technology Control Regime and other arrangements related to conventional arms.
France has emerged as a key player in defence cooperation with India, bagging several big contracts, including the deal for building six Scorpene submarines for the Navy though it has been further delayed.
The two sides also reviewed the status of various measures for bilateral defence cooperation and the progress in areas pursuant to their discussions in February this year during the French President’s visit to India, a joint statement issued after deliberations said.
The statement said, “Antony and Le Drian held detailed and useful talks on regional and international security challenges of mutual interest.” India is apprehensive about the impact of withdrawal of American troops in 2014 from Afghanistan on the security scenario in the immediate and extended neighbourhood.
The Ministers exchanged views on issues relating to UN peace keeping operations and maritime security. The French Minister presented his country’s new White Paper on Defence and National Security to Antony.
France and India have extensive strategic cooperation, with the military services of both nations conducting joint exercises.
The two Defence Ministers agreed to enhance exchanges between their respective defence institutions and armed forces including in the areas of military education and training and through the conduct of military exercises. They welcomed the upcoming bilateral exercise ‘Shakti’ in September 2013 in France between the two armies. India has purchased much military equipment from France, especially the French Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft and the Scorpène class submarines.
France was one of the few nations which did not condemn India’s nuclear tests in 1998 and has supported India’s bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council as well as G-8.
Besides, France is one of the largest suppliers of nuclear fuel to India, and had signed a “Framework Agreement for Civil Nuclear Cooperation” in January 2008 during French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to India. This followed the waiver given by International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group enabling India to resume full civil nuclear cooperation with the international community.
There is also a growing and wide-ranging cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, culture, science & technology and education.
The French Defence Minister also conveyed that on the 100th anniversary of World War I, his country was planning various projects to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who were killed in France during that war and this was appreciated by the Indian side.
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