Strategic synergy soared as India and France extended their defense cooperation framework for 10 more years, with plans to manufacture Hammer missiles within India. The pact was formalized during the Bengaluru-hosted sixth annual defense dialogue, led by Ministers Rajnath Singh and Catherine Vautrin.
Focus areas spanned joint R&D, co-production, tech transfers, and industry integration—hallmarks of a partnership evolving with global threats. The Hammer, a versatile medium-range missile pivotal to Rafale operations, will be built via a BEL-Safran joint venture, embodying ‘Make in India’ and boosting indigenous defense prowess.
This development empowers the Indian Air Force amid Rafale expansions, while the agreement—signed by top officials—cements reliability. Reciprocal army postings will drive tactical synergy, experience exchange, and mission preparedness.
Singh reiterated India’s leadership as a regional security anchor and first responder, confronting terrorism head-on. Vautrin hailed the shift to annual exercises. In the Indo-Pacific’s volatile context, this renewal fortifies a bond rooted in trust, innovation, and collective defense imperatives, promising enhanced capabilities for both.