French parliamentary delegation meets DRDO chief over tech cooperation

A parliamentary delegation from France has met the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to discuss joint development and technological cooperation in line with the India-France Defence Industrial Roadmap.

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A delegation of the French Senate's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Armed Forces, led by Senator Catherine Dumas, undertook an official visit to India from May 18 to 23, the French Embassy said today.

The senators met DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat to explore opportunities for joint development and technological cooperation.

India and France are presently working on co-developing a new helicopter engine for the under-development Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH).

Also the two are collaborating on manufacturing a jet engine for India’s fifth-generation fighter jet and working on its design and development.

French major Safran and the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency and Gas Turbine Research Establishment have arrived at a set of specifications that comply with the India’s future fighter jet requirements. India is seeking 100% transfer of technology in design, development, certification, production.

In the past, two countries have collaborated on making an engine for advanced light helicopter.

The delegation's programme began in New Delhi, where the senators held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to discuss global and regional developments, defence cooperation, and the Indo-French strategic partnership. They also engaged with Indian parliamentarians from the Standing Committees on Defence and External Affairs.

The delegation visited Bengaluru-based Digantara, a leading Indian space-tech start-up and toured Thales Engineering Competence Centre, which showcases Indo-French collaboration in aerospace and defence innovation.

At Mumbai, the delegation was at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, a key player in India's naval sector, which built Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy under transfer of technology from France's Naval Group.