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The current negotiations explain Europe’s renewed attentiveness
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For India, the message is clear: procurement alone is no longer enough
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The goal now is mastery—of technology, production, and sustainment
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That ambition, rather than any summit declaration, defines the real significance of this diplomatic week
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
This week marks a quiet but consequential moment for Indian diplomacy—not defined by grand speeches or ceremonial optics, but by negotiations that could reshape the country’s defence and strategic trajectory. New Delhi has emerged as a focal point of European attention, driven by a simple reality: India remains one of the few major powers willing to invest heavily in defence acquisitions, and it is now insisting on technology, not just hardware, in return.
France has taken the opening step. Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, is in India ahead of Macron’s visit next month for the AI Impact Summit. While the official agenda highlights cooperation in emerging technologies, the substantive discussions revolve around combat aircraft and propulsion systems. Bonne is expected to hold detailed talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on two major defence initiatives.
Central to these discussions is a proposed partnership between Safran and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop a high-thrust jet engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mark II
Unlike past arrangements, this project promises full technology transfer and shared intellectual property rights. Safran has agreed to co-design the engine from the ground up, rather than adapt an existing model—an offer that addresses a long-standing Indian demand and could significantly strengthen indigenous aerospace capabilities.
Running parallel is the evolving Rafale narrative. Internal deliberations in India on acquiring a large additional fleet—potentially between 75 and 114 aircraft—are expected to transition into bilateral talks. The emphasis this time is on domestic manufacturing. With Indian firms already supplying components in partnership with Dassault Aviation, New Delhi is keen to transform the Rafale programme into a sustained production ecosystem rather than a one-off import deal.
Germany’s engagement this week is broader and more immediate. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit carries a strong economic thrust, but defence remains a key pillar. An estimated $8-billion deal to build six advanced submarines at Mazgaon Docks, using technology from Germany’s thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, is nearing the final price-negotiation stage. India is seeking firm assurances on costs, liabilities, and long-term support before signing off.
Russia, meanwhile, remains under discreet evaluation. The Indian Air Force is assessing the Su-57 for its operational utility, particularly its ability to deploy long-range missiles such as the R-37M and Kinzhal. With the AMCA still years from induction, a limited interim purchase could help bridge capability gaps, though geopolitical risks—including potential US sanctions—loom large.
Adding to the strategic churn is India’s Medium Transport Aircraft programme, covering the 18–30 tonne class. Lockheed Martin, Embraer, and Airbus are all competing, underscoring India’s centrality to global defence supply chains.
