What Happened
- French President Emmanuel Macron visited India from February 12 onwards (State Visit centred on Mumbai), culminating in a summit with PM Modi on February 16–17, 2026.
- India and France elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" — a step above the existing "Strategic Partnership" (in force since 1998).
- A potential EUR 30 billion (~USD 35 billion) deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, with co-production under Make in India, was the centrepiece of defence discussions.
- India and France also formalised a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and French firm Safran to produce the HAMMER air-to-surface missile in India.
- The two sides agreed to expand defence cooperation from fighter jets to submarines (Project P-75I), helicopter engines, and AI-linked dual-use technologies.
- A bilateral defence cooperation framework was renewed for another decade, broadening joint production of missiles, helicopters, and advanced combat aircraft.
Static Topic Bridges
India–France Strategic Partnership: History and Depth
India and France established their Strategic Partnership in January 1998, making France the first country to enter into such a partnership with India — preceding even the US (2004). The partnership is built on shared emphasis on strategic autonomy, opposition to unipolar world order, and willingness to transfer technology (unlike the US model of Foreign Military Sales with limited ToT). The "Horizon 2047 Roadmap," adopted in July 2023 during PM Modi's Paris visit, laid out a 25-year vision across defence, space, nuclear energy, and climate cooperation.
- Strategic Partnership with France established: January 1998
- India–France Horizon 2047 Roadmap: Adopted July 2023 (25-year cooperation framework)
- "Special Global Strategic Partnership": Announced February 2026 (upgraded from "Strategic Partnership")
- India–France bilateral trade: ~USD 11.68 billion (2024)
- France's position: Consistent supporter of India's UNSC permanent membership candidacy
- India–France joint declaration: Covers defence, space, civil nuclear, AI, climate
Connection to this news: The elevation to "Special Global Strategic Partnership" is more than ceremonial — it reflects France's willingness to co-produce and co-develop advanced platforms with India (not merely sell), and India's interest in a European strategic anchor that respects strategic autonomy.
Rafale Programme: From Purchase to Co-Production
The Rafale is a twin-engine, omnirole 4.5-generation fighter manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation. India's Rafale journey began with the 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement for 36 aircraft (delivered by 2022 to IAF). A second IGA was signed in April 2025 for 26 Rafale-M aircraft for the Indian Navy (for INS Vikrant). The potential 114-aircraft deal discussed during Macron's 2026 visit would be the largest defence deal in Indian history, incorporating licence manufacturing at HAL under Make in India. Rafale has advanced AESA radar (RBE2-AA), MBDA meteor BVR missiles, and SPECTRA electronic warfare suite.
- Rafale manufacturer: Dassault Aviation (France); twin-engine 4.5-gen omnirole fighter
- IAF Rafale deal: 36 aircraft; IGA signed 2016; all delivered by 2022
- Indian Navy Rafale-M deal: 26 aircraft (IGA signed April 2025); for INS Vikrant
- 114-aircraft deal (under discussion): ~EUR 30 billion; includes Make in India co-production
- Key capabilities: AESA RBE2-AA radar, MBDA Meteor (BVR), SCALP cruise missile, SPECTRA EW suite
- HAL role in potential 114-aircraft deal: Co-production/licence manufacture
- Scorpene submarines (P-75): 6 already delivered; P-75I (6 more) in procurement stage
Connection to this news: Macron's visit accelerated the 114-Rafale deal timeline by signalling France's readiness for deep technology transfer and co-production — addressing India's longstanding objection that foreign OEMs offer sales but not genuine Make in India industrial partnership.
India's Defence Indigenisation: Make in India, BEL–Safran JV, and Technology Transfer
India's defence industrial policy has shifted from "Buy (Global)" to "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" as the highest preference category under DAP 2020. The BEL–Safran joint venture to produce HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) air-to-surface missiles in India exemplifies this model: a French precision munition manufactured domestically by an Indian PSU in partnership with the French OEM. Similarly, Safran has an engine MRO facility near Hyderabad and a helicopter engine JV with HAL (for IMRH).
- BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited): Indian defence PSU under MoD; produces radar, electronic systems
- HAMMER missile: French precision-guided air-to-surface munition; range ~60–70 km; standoff capability
- BEL–Safran JV: Established to produce HAMMER in India (Make in India milestone)
- Safran–HAL collaboration: Engine development for Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH)
- Safran MRO facility: Inaugurated near Hyderabad (November 2025) for aircraft engine maintenance
- P-75 Scorpene: 6 submarines built at MDL (Mumbai) with French technology transfer — completed January 2025
Connection to this news: The HAMMER JV and the P-75 completion demonstrate that France has already delivered on technology transfer at scale — a track record that gives credibility to Macron's assurances of genuine co-production in the proposed 114-Rafale deal.
Key Facts & Data
- Macron India visit: February 12–17, 2026 (State Visit, Mumbai summit)
- Partnership upgrade: "Strategic Partnership" (1998) → "Special Global Strategic Partnership" (Feb 2026)
- Horizon 2047 Roadmap: Adopted July 2023 (25-year cooperation framework)
- 114 Rafale deal (under discussion): EUR 30 billion (~USD 35 billion); with Make in India co-production
- 26 Rafale-M naval deal: IGA signed April 2025 (for INS Vikrant)
- 36 IAF Rafales: Delivered 2019–2022 under 2016 IGA
- BEL–Safran JV: HAMMER air-to-surface missile co-production in India
- Defence framework renewal: Another decade of bilateral defence cooperation
- P-75 Scorpene: 6 submarines completed (Jan 2025) at MDL with French technology
- India–France bilateral trade: ~USD 11.68 billion (2024)