NEW DELHI, India, Feb. 19 (ANI) — Emmanuel Macron said India’s ambition to co-produce Rafale fighter jets and take on greater maintenance responsibilities is “legitimate” and reflects the evolving nature of defense partnerships.
Speaking to French media on the sidelines of the AI-India Impact Summit, Macron emphasized that global demand for advanced defense capabilities will grow significantly by 2040 and 2050, particularly as regional powers such as China continue to advance their combat aviation capabilities.
“The Indians, who are currently customers, want to co-produce with us; we have seen the Rafale here, but they want to co-produce combat aircraft in India. They want to handle more of the maintenance, which is legitimate,” Macron said, according to reports by BFM TV.
He highlighted the long-term strategic importance of strengthening defense cooperation with India, noting that the country’s need for advanced aviation capabilities will continue to expand.
“Looking ahead to 2040 and 2050, I am telling you, India will need combat aviation. This is the direction of history,” Macron said.
In remarks to India Today, Macron defended the growing defense partnership, saying such cooperation strengthens India’s capabilities, enhances strategic ties, and creates jobs. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to increasing Indian participation in defense manufacturing.
“We are extremely committed to having a maximum number of Indian components and manufacturing a maximum number of critical devices in India. This is exactly the rationale under this Tata-Airbus deal. So we will do the same for the Rafale. You can count on us,” Macron said.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council, led by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, recently approved the acquisition of 114 Rafale Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the program would mark the first time Rafale jets are manufactured outside France, with 40 to 50 percent localization under the Make in India initiative. He added that the government-to-government agreement ensures transparency and enables integration of Indian weapons and systems into the aircraft.
Macron also used India’s example to urge European nations to consolidate their defense industries and adopt a unified standard to remain competitive globally. He stressed that strategic state decisions must take priority over corporate interests.
“We Europeans, if we have a sense of history, have an interest in reaching an agreement right now and therefore in having a common model,” Macron said. “The need to have a European standard. We must create a standard together; otherwise, we will have nothing,” he added. (ANI)
About The Author
