France ready for 'further cooperation in submarine field' with India
, ET Bureau|
Updated: Oct 28, 2017, 12.12 AM IST
MIHAN (NAGPUR): In line with the sustained defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative and exchange of key technologies, French Defence Minister Florence Parly today said that she discussed further cooperation in the submarine field with her Indian counterpart, Nirmala Sitharaman.
On the sidelines of attending the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) manufacturing facility at Mihan, Parly said that she met Sitharaman today. Among the key highlights of the meeting Parly said was, "We discussed cooperation in the submarine field."
India which is faced with several ageing attack submarines is strengthening its submarine fleet. An Indian government shipyard, Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL), through technology transfer from French defence firm, Naval Group, is manufacturing stealth Scorpene class submarines.
Parly said, "The first Scorpene submarine will be launched in a few days."
This could mean that Kalvari, the first such submarine, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy in the coming days. Parly is visiting the MDL facility at Mumbai tomorrow, where she will be briefed by the Western Naval Command.
India is also working on another submarine program, Project 75 (I), which is the next generation of stealth submarines. The Naval Group is one of the firms contesting for the project.
In relation, a statement issued by the Defence Ministry today stated, "The two ministers comprehensively reviewed developments in defence equipment and industry cooperation, where France is a major partner. They agreed to strongly support projects for defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative as well as promote defence technology and R&D cooperation."
In additon, Parly at the new manufacturing facility for production of key components of the Rafale jets said, "the plant is proof of the industrial relationship and will enable technology exchanges. It also indicates common ambition for high quality industry in the naval aviation sector."
Although she didn't say whether there was discussion on a future order for additional Rafales, she said, "The facility can be a production chain of Rafales depending on potential orders."
Parly also said that she discussed with Sitharaman the situation in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Navy is witnessing a growing presence of Chinese naval vessels, including submarines, in the region. "We have common interests in this area. We have decided to strengthen military cooperation to train our navies," she said.
The Defence Ministry added, "Recognising the growing significance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and the need for greater maritime domain awareness, India and France will further expand information sharing arrangements building upon the Technical Arrangement on Exchange of White Shipping information signed earlier this year."
Parly also said India and France share the same threat of terrorism. "India is affected by terrorism as is France and Europe," she said. In relation, there will be expansion of bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism between the two sides.
On the sidelines of attending the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) manufacturing facility at Mihan, Parly said that she met Sitharaman today. Among the key highlights of the meeting Parly said was, "We discussed cooperation in the submarine field."
India which is faced with several ageing attack submarines is strengthening its submarine fleet. An Indian government shipyard, Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL), through technology transfer from French defence firm, Naval Group, is manufacturing stealth Scorpene class submarines.
Parly said, "The first Scorpene submarine will be launched in a few days."
This could mean that Kalvari, the first such submarine, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy in the coming days. Parly is visiting the MDL facility at Mumbai tomorrow, where she will be briefed by the Western Naval Command.
India is also working on another submarine program, Project 75 (I), which is the next generation of stealth submarines. The Naval Group is one of the firms contesting for the project.
In relation, a statement issued by the Defence Ministry today stated, "The two ministers comprehensively reviewed developments in defence equipment and industry cooperation, where France is a major partner. They agreed to strongly support projects for defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative as well as promote defence technology and R&D cooperation."
In additon, Parly at the new manufacturing facility for production of key components of the Rafale jets said, "the plant is proof of the industrial relationship and will enable technology exchanges. It also indicates common ambition for high quality industry in the naval aviation sector."
Although she didn't say whether there was discussion on a future order for additional Rafales, she said, "The facility can be a production chain of Rafales depending on potential orders."
Parly also said that she discussed with Sitharaman the situation in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Navy is witnessing a growing presence of Chinese naval vessels, including submarines, in the region. "We have common interests in this area. We have decided to strengthen military cooperation to train our navies," she said.
The Defence Ministry added, "Recognising the growing significance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and the need for greater maritime domain awareness, India and France will further expand information sharing arrangements building upon the Technical Arrangement on Exchange of White Shipping information signed earlier this year."
Parly also said India and France share the same threat of terrorism. "India is affected by terrorism as is France and Europe," she said. In relation, there will be expansion of bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism between the two sides.
