France keen to expand military ties with India

France, which has been a supplier of key equipment for the Indian armed forces even during the Cold War period, is now looking to expand its military relations with India. French Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud in an interaction with the media in the National Capital said France was ready to deepen relations with India. A tie-up for transfer of know-how like the one France has with Brazil was possible only if the two countries agreed, said Guillaud in reply to a question. He is in India on a four day-tour ahead of the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's slated visit. The two countries will be holding a defence strategic dialogue in the next two weeks. At present French company DCNS, in joint collaboration with the Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, is building six scorpene submarines. The French are keen for the next order of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarines, which India is looking to make, and has sent out a request for information from global builders. French company Thales is majorly into avionics of aircrafts.

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Posted in: Fighter jet,India