NEW DELHI: India and France have decided to intensify their defense cooperation with Paris by proposing to move 100% of the Panther medium utility helicopter assembly line as well as 70% of the Rafale fighter assembly line under the “Making in India” column with full technology transfer, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

The offers were made during conversations between Indian leaders and Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron who was in the country for the 34th India-France Strategic Dialogue this week.

Officials said there was a real possibility that India, which has a contract for 36 ubiquitous fighters, could purchase more Rafale jets in light of the French bid to supply 70% of the assembly line, including the development of local suppliers. This would reduce the cost of subsequent acquisition of combat aircraft.

The French offer to manufacture the Panther helicopters in India also works well with the government seeking to purchase medium helicopters for the Indian Navy. The Airbus AS565 MBe is a versatile all-weather medium helicopter designed to operate from ship decks, offshore locations and land sites.

According to South Block sources, the India-France strategic dialogue this week has led to over 9,900 MW of the Jaitapur nuclear power plant advancing over reactor pricing issues with Electricite de France (EDF) and the Nuclear Power Corporation. of India (NPCIL). The strategic dialogue was led by national security adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to senior officials, India has decided to consider the French offer of six Airbus 330 multi-role transport tankers for lease, while specifying that French defense technologies shared with the Indian army should not be sold to its opponents. At this, the French informed India that their relations, especially in the defense sector, reached a new low with Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan personally attacked President Macron following a terrorist incident.

It is understood that France will no longer supply or modernize French arms platforms or ammunition with Pakistan. This includes repairs to the Mirage III / V fighters as well as the Augusta submarines. The same rule of thumb will also apply to Turkey, whose authoritarian leader R Erdogan went out of his way to launch vitriolic attacks on President Macron.

As India and France discussed China and its role in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean, Paris invited the Indian Navy to participate in European maritime outreach in the Strait of Hormuz (EMSOH ) as well as to use the facilities of the French base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. Regarding China, the two sides agreed to strengthen maritime capabilities to ensure compliance with international maritime law in both the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean through joint surveillance and sharing of information. information. France’s chief military adviser also accompanied Envoy Bonne. France has also offered India to participate in trilateral naval exercises with the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

Although Doval and Bonne had a limited conversation on the India-France strategic issues, Paris offered assistance in the development of engines for twin-engine LCA or AMCA with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as well as in the manufacture of engines. Rafale combat vehicle (M-88) as part of the “Make in India” initiative.

On the political front, the French envoy made it clear that he would support India in the UN Security Council and ensure that Beijing’s decision to put India in the dock is on charges of terrorism or Kashmir be blocked. This assurance that Bonne made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi while India would join the UNSC for two years.