French engine maker Safran is ready to build an engine assembly line in India to meet the country’s requirements for local production as the French and Indian governments discuss the purchase of 114 more Rafale jets, its CEO said on Friday.
Safran, which makes M-88 engines for the Dassault Aviation jet, will also buy parts from local suppliers to support India’s aerospace industry, Olivier Andries told reporters.
India on Thursday gave initial clearance for procurements including Rafale and Boeing P-8I maritime patrol planes ahead of a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron next week.
India has cleared a proposal to buy 114 Rafale multirole fighter jets from France to bolster its air force in its largest-ever military hardware procurement.
The push to acquire the jets comes amid a critical shortfall in the combat capability of the Indian Air Force at a time when the country has witnessed heightened tensions with Pakistan and China.
The Rafales were the biggest and most high profile acquisition to be cleared among nearly $40 billion worth of hardware that India plans to buy to modernize its military.
The go-ahead by the Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Jan.12 comes days before French President Emmanuel Macron visits New Delhi and paves the way for commercial and technical details to be finalized.
At a time when the geopolitical order is witnessing a significant churn, the Rafale deal will cement a strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris once it is sealed.
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