India's push for self-sufficiency is 'absolutely normal': French Air Force Vice Chief for India-France Defense Ties

India and France are looking to deepen their defense partnership with cooperation spanning aviation, new technology, space and defense industry, Deputy Chief of French Air and Space Forces Lt Gen Dominique Tardif told Mint.

Tardif described the India-France partnership as a long-standing one and said that both countries are looking to further strengthen cooperation across multiple domains.

“The India-France partnership has a long history; it started more than 75 years ago and France is India’s oldest strategic partner. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron visited India and met Prime Minister Modi and they decided to strengthen the bilateral partnership and elevate it to a special global strategic partnership,” Tardif told Mint on the sidelines of SummitTV206 on New DelhitTV’s website.

He said the two countries want to expand cooperation beyond traditional defense areas.

Read also | ‘Made in India, built in France’: PM Modi welcomes India-France ties

“Both countries want to continue to strengthen and promote partnerships in various areas. We have a very strong and deep partnership between our air forces, but there are also areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalization and space where we can continue to work together,” he said.

Defense Technology and India’s Push for Self-Reliance

Also emerging as an important area of cooperation is India’s drive to expand domestic defense production under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and develop greater technological expertise.

Tardif said France understands India’s emphasis on sovereignty and its desire to build greater expertise within its domestic defense industry, noting that France itself is sensitive to sovereignty issues.

“This issue is important because France is also very sensitive about sovereignty. It is understandable that India is also very sensitive about sovereignty issues. That is why India’s desire to increase expertise in its defense industry is something that is quite normal for us,” he said.

He emphasized the need for greater coordination between the two countries’ defense industries while respecting their respective sovereignty.

“They need to find a solution to create good synchronization and a strong partnership in the defense industry. The goal should be to build greater cooperation between the two sides while respecting their respective sovereignty,” Tardif said.

France joins India’s Tarang Shakti exercise

The deepening defense ties between India and France are also reflected in joint military exercises and greater operational interaction between the two air forces.

The French Air and Space Force arrived in Jodhpur on September 25 to participate in the second year of the Indian Air Force’s multi-national combat exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, part of France’s long-range PÉGASE 26 mission.

According to a press release from the French Embassy, France deployed four Rafale fighter jets and a 300-member contingent to the exercise.

Tardif also visited Air Force Station Jodhpur and met Exercise Director Air Vice Marshal Raj Thakur to discuss interoperability and tactical coordination between the two forces.

Taking place from September 26 to October 12 under the theme ‘Power in Partnership’, Tarang Shakti 2026 brings together the participating air forces to enhance interoperability, share expertise and enhance operational cooperation, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Seven friendly foreign countries — Australia, USA, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — are participating in the exercise.

The exercise involves a range of aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A.

Tardif said the French side was looking forward to more interaction with the participating forces during the exercise.

“We are very happy and excited to be a part of this joint exercise. I am sure it will be very interesting as there will be good interaction between the two sides,” he said.

France’s participation in Tarang Shakti is part of the PÉGASE 26 mission, its seventh long-range aerial projection exercise, which runs from September 8 to October 15.

Read also | India’s first multi-national air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ begins today.

The mission aims to demonstrate France’s ability to project air power over long distances and operate alongside partner forces, according to the French embassy.