India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. (A roadmap on this project will be prepared between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year)," the India-France joint communique read as quoted by ANI. The two leaders stood in support of Safran Helicopter Engine's (France) industrial cooperation for the motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme. A shareholders' agreement for engine development was reached between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India, and Safran Helicopter Engine, France, to facilitate the advancement of the IMRH programme, it added.
Moreover, India and France hailed the success of the first Scorpene submarine construction programme (P75 – Kalvari), a model of Make in India and the sharing of naval expertise between companies in the two countries, it said. The two countries also welcomed the MoU between Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and Naval Group for constructing three additional submarines under the P75 program, as per ANI reports. India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance, the statement noted further. The agreement between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the Transfer of Technology of Forging and Castings for the Shakti Engine is another illustration of this military-industry relationship built on mutual trust between the two countries, the joint statement said. “This reflects the French government's dedication to encouraging technology transfer and Make in India," it said. PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade on France’s National Day,
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