New Delhi, June 5: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has successfully concluded a three-day official visit to France. The trip focused on strengthening the decades-old strategic and defense partnership between the two nations.
This visit comes at a crucial time as significant progress is being made regarding a potential mega deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets between India and France. During his time at the headquarters of the French Air and Space Force in Ballard, Air Chief Marshal Singh engaged in bilateral talks with General Jérôme Balanger, the Chief of the French Air and Space Force. He was welcomed with military honors, including a guard of honor. Both sides discussed enhancing operational cooperation, joint training, technical exchanges, and expanding future partnerships.
During the visit, the Air Force Chief also met with General Vincent Giro, Chief of Military Staff to the French President. He addressed officers at the prestigious military training institutions ‘École de Guerre’ and ‘École Militaire’ in Paris, where cadets undergoing training under an exchange program from India were present.
Air Chief Marshal Singh visited the Mont-de-Marsan Air Combat Center to observe its operational capabilities. Additionally, he took an introductory flight in an A400M military transport aircraft from the Orléans Air Base. This initiative is expected to enhance military cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries. A significant aspect of the visit included meetings with leading French defense companies.
The Air Chief met with senior representatives from Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran, and MBDA. Discussions focused on defense production, technical cooperation, indigenization, and advancing the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Notably, discussions regarding the proposed purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets are ongoing. Reports indicate that on June 1, India issued a Letter of Request (LoR) to the French government for a government-to-government deal worth approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore. Under the proposed agreement, 94 of the 114 Rafale jets will be manufactured in India, with French company Dassault Aviation collaborating with an Indian partner for production.
Experts believe that Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh’s visit will not only provide new direction to India-France defense relations but will also play a crucial role in the modernization of the Indian Air Force, the transfer of advanced technology, and the promotion of defense manufacturing in the country.
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