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India, France Deepen Defence Ties Across Air, Space, Technology
India and France have worked together in defence for more than 75 years.
Their leaders now want to make this partnership even stronger.
They plan to cooperate not only on aircraft, but also on space, artificial intelligence and digital technology.
India wants to build more defence equipment and skills inside the country.
France says this goal is understandable because France also cares about making its own decisions.
The two countries want their defence industries to work together while keeping their independence.
France joined India’s Tarang Shakti 2026 air exercise in Jodhpur.
It sent four Rafale fighter jets and about 300 people.
The exercise lets different countries practise working together.
India and France are expanding defence cooperation across air power, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, space and industry.
French Air and Space Force Vice Chief Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif called India’s self-reliance drive a normal expression of sovereignty.
Tardif said both countries should better coordinate their defence industries while respecting their respective sovereignty.
France deployed four Rafale fighter jets and about 300 personnel to India’s Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise.
Tarang Shakti 2026 runs from September 26 to October 12, while France’s Mission PÉGASE 26 runs from September 8 to October 15.
- Who
- India, France, their air forces and defence industries, including Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif.
- What
- The countries are deepening defence cooperation across air power, emerging technologies, space, industry and military exercises.
- Where
- The discussions took place in New Delhi, and France participated in the exercise at Jodhpur.
- When
- The partnership discussions were reported during Tarang Shakti 2026, held from September 26 to October 12; Mission PÉGASE 26 runs from September 8 to October 15.
- Why
- To strengthen the bilateral defence partnership, improve operational cooperation and support greater defence expertise while respecting both countries’ sovereignty.
Key facts
- Partnership history
- India and France’s partnership began more than 75 years ago, according to Tardif.
- Partnership status
- The countries’ leaders elevated the relationship into a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year.
- Cooperation areas
- Air power, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, space and defence industry.
- French deployment
- Four Rafale fighter jets and a 300-member contingent joined Tarang Shakti 2026.
- Tarang Shakti dates
- September 26 to October 12, 2026.
- Mission PÉGASE 26 dates
- September 8 to October 15, 2026.
- Participating countries
- Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Quotes
Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif
Vice Chief of the French Air and Space Force
“This question is important because France is also very sensitive to sovereignty. It is understandable that India is also very sensitive to questions of sovereignty. That is why India’s desire to ramp up expertise in its defence industry is something that is completely normal for us”
livemint.com
“They have to find solutions to create good synchronisation and a strong partnership in the defence industry. The objective should be to build greater cooperation between the two sides while respecting their respective sovereignty”
livemint.com
Sources
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