Aviation: French, Indian firms sign MoU to boost ties

The French Aerospace Industries Association will set up an office in New Delhi to increase collaboration with Indian firms engaged in defence and commercial aviation sector.

French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS) and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) signed an M0U to promote a sustainable framework for present and future partnerships and cooperative actions.

GIFAS vice chairman Patrick Daher said the French industries stand second or third in the world when it comes to aerospace equipment manufacture and were looking for partners in commercial and defence aviation as well as space technology.

“We have all the expertise and technology from aviation to space technology and India is known for its innovation, startups and high capability engineering. Many of the French companies are leaving for Mumbai, Nagpur and Hyderabad on Wednesday for exploring collaborations,” he said.

Director General of SIDM, Lt General Subrata Saha (Retd) said the French aerospace industry, which is more than 100 years old, is known for its leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

“The latest defence procurement policy envisages that Indian defence industries should achieve a turnover of Rs 1.7 lakh crore by 2025 and exports worth Rs 35,000 crore. The French industries in the sector standout for their convergence of defence and commercial production. Working with them promises mutual benefits,” he said.

About 60 French companies in the aerospace, defence and civil aviation sector, including major players like Airbus, Dassault and Thales, met their Indian counterparts to discuss trade and collaborations.

More than 130 B2B meetings were held where SIDM members talked various issues with the French firms. A source in Confederation of Indian Industry, however, said no major deals were signed.