Area of Cooperation

Details

Defense Cooperation

• France is India's second-largest arms supplier (33% share as per SIPRI).
• Key projects include Rafale aircraft purchases and the P-75 Scorpene Project.

Defense Industrial Roadmap

• Announced for co-design, co-development, and co-production to meet India's defense needs and export to friendly nations.
• Key initiative: MRO facilities for LEAP and Rafale engines.

Military Exercises

• Bilateral: VARUNA (naval), FRINJEX-23 (army).
• Multilateral: La Perouse, ORION (naval).

Geo-Strategic Cooperation

India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap (2023): Expanded cooperation from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to the broader Indo-Pacific.

Space Cooperation

• France is a major supplier of components for India's space program.
• Collaboration on future launch vehicles and the TRISHNA Earth Observation mission.

Economic Cooperation

• France is one of the largest investors in India with an FDI inflow of $659.77 million in FY 2022-23.
• Tata Group and Airbus to manufacture civilian helicopters in India.
• International secured an order from Akasa Air for 300+ LEAP-1B engines.

Digital Cooperation

• Launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from Eiffel Tower for secure transactions by Indian visitors and NRIs.
• French company developed 14 supercomputers, including India's fastest, Param Siddhi, at 4.6 petaflops/second.

Multilateral Cooperation

• France supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC.
• Supports India's stance on Kashmir and terrorism at the UN and in bodies like FATF.
• Supported India's accession to MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following statements is correct about the Pinaka Rocket System?

(a) It is a surface-to-air missile developed by India.

(b) It is a multi-barrel rocket launcher system developed by DRDO for artillery support.

(c) It is a naval missile system designed for long-range anti-ship attacks.

(d) It is a ballistic missile system intended for intercontinental strikes.

Answer: b

Explanation:

Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 45 km for Mark-I Enhance and 90 km for Mark-II ER version and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets per launcher in 44 seconds. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralizing Pakistani positions on the mountaintops.  It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.