France Offers to Shift Rafale Fighter and Panther Chopper Assembly Lines to India
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January 27, 2021France–India relations have traditionally been close and friendly and both countries have a ‘special relationship‘ with each other, so much so that by August 2019, France has been called “India’s new best friend” by a researcher of the Hudson Institute. Both nations have a centuries-old history of trade relations. According to an article published on Hindustan Times website, “France has offered to completely shift the assembly line for Panther medium-utility helicopters as well as 70 percent of that for Rafale fighters to India. The offer is in sync with PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to boost the country’s manufacturing capability through the transfer of technology.” Mr. Tribhuvan Darbari, MD & CEO Texmaco Defence Systems Private Limited said that the offer is a great booster for Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call of ‘Make in India’.
According to the news published on Hindustan Times, “India and France have decided to intensify the defence cooperation with Paris offer to shift 100 percent assembly line for Panther medium utility helicopters and 70 percent of the assembly line for Rafale fighters under ‘Make in India’ rubric with full transfer of technology.”
The Airbus’ AS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium-weight, multipurpose twin-engine helicopter. The all-weather, multi-role medium helicopter has been designed for operation from ship decks, offshore locations, and land-based sites. The helicopters can fulfill a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
Mr. Tribhuvan Darbari further said that Paris’ offer to make the choppers in India works extremely well with the Indian government, which has been looking to procure medium helicopters for the Indian Navy.
The offers were made during the string of conversations between Indian leaders and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron who was in the country for the 34th India-France strategic dialogue this week. The strategic dialogue was chaired by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Bonne.
Moreover, in light of the deal to bring 70 percent of the Rafale fighters’ assembly line including local vendor development, officials have said there was a real possibility that New Delhi, which has a contract of 36 fighters, could end up purchasing more in the future, according to the HT report.
The 4+ generation Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft equipped with a wide range of weapons. The fighters can perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence missions.
Mr. TS Darbari also mentioned that the Omni-role fighters would help India secure its borders which have witnessed skirmishes in the past year.
Hindustan Times also mentioned that New Delhi has taken a decision to consider Paris’ offer of Airbus 330 multi-role transport tankers on lease.
The country has also made it clear that the French defense technologies shared with the Indian military should not be given to its adversaries, including its neighbor Pakistan which is a good news according to Mr. TS Darbari.
France has also offered help in the development of the engine for the twin-engine Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The offers were made to the Indian leaders by President Macron’s Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne who was in India earlier this week to participate in the 34th India-France strategic dialogue. During the visit, Bonne held engagements with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and also with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
Sources:
Hindustan Times: France Offers To Shift Rafale Fighter & Panther Chopper Assembly Lines To India
