France ready to provide more Rafale fighter jets to India

France is ready to provide more Rafale fighter aircraft to India even as it works to bolster the Make in India initiative by integrating Indian manufacturers into global supply chainsFrench defence minister Florence Parly on Friday siad, "We, as France, are ready to answer any additional needs or requests that can be made by India... we are open and ready to provide any other Rafale if this is India's decision." Parly is on an official visit to India to enhance strategic and defence ties.

The French minister said, "We are very happy that the Indian Air Force is satisfied with its Rafale and we are very proud that, despite the COVID, the 36 aircraft will be delivered on time, according to the contract." It's a real achievement, I am sure that there is room for new developments.  She described the use of Rafale jets by the air forces of both countries as a “real asset and strength” for bilateral cooperation. Parly also outlined France’s commitment to backing the “Make in India” initiative, especially for defence hardware. “France, more than any other country, understands the necessity of the Indian content and we are fully committed to the Make in India initiative as well as to the further integration of Indian manufacturers into our global supply chains,” she said.

Responding to a question about France’s views on China’s assertive activities Parly said: “China is also a partner for trade and commerce but we see as well that China is getting more and more aggressive in the region, and it is even more specific when it comes to the South China Sea.” She contended that France and India share the same views on international maritime law and freedom of navigation. “And most of the goods use these...maritime lanes. So these maritime lanes must remain free. We see that sometimes there are attempts to close this South China Sea and we want to make sure that this freedom of navigation is respected,” she said. Parly responded to another question on the potential impact on India-France relations of the AUKUS alliance between Australia, the UK and the US by asserting that France “is an Indo-Pacific country” since it has 1.6 million citizens in the region. Later French minister Parly called on prime minister Narendra Modi.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh and senior officers of both the countries were also present in the meeting.