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CNA
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore, France to strengthen defence cooperation, including AI capabilities
SINGAPORE: Singapore and France on Friday (May 30) agreed to deepen their defence relationship, exchanging agreements in areas of mutual interest such as technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Earlier, Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and France's Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu signed a declaration of intent on enhanced defence cooperation across multiple domains, including digital defence, and to explore new areas of collaboration, such as in emerging technologies. The declaration also recognises both countries' long-standing support for each other's deployments, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) advanced jet training detachment in Cazaux, France. A letter of intent on defence AI cooperation was also signed to expand the capabilities of the Joint Research & Development Laboratory that both countries had established in April 2023 to help develop AI capabilities for defence applications. "We have identified use cases for sense-making and analysis, countering misinformation and disinformation, autonomous systems, and verification and validation for AI systems," said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Friday. The letter of intent also reflects both sides' shared objective to involve operational users and industry partners to co-develop AI-enabled solutions for battlefield needs and emerging security threats. According to a MINDEF press release in April 2023, this is the first joint lab it had established with an overseas country and partner. Both countries also signed an amendment to the Administrative Arrangement on Defence Technology Cooperation, reaffirming bilateral collaboration across areas like research and development (R&D), as well as highlighting new areas of cooperation in open innovation, and critical technologies such as AI, quantum and microelectronics. This arrangement was first signed in November 2003 and renewed in April 2016. Mr Chan and Mr Lecornu met on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron's two-day state visit to Singapore, where he delivered the keynote address on Friday night at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top annual defence summit. 'Mr Chan expressed appreciation for France's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training at Cazaux Air Base since 1998,' said MINDEF. 'Both ministers also exchanged views on security priorities and geopolitical developments.'
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Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India, France seal Rs 64,000 cr deal for 26 Rafale-M jets for Navy
In the country's largest-ever fighter jet acquisition, India on Monday signed an around ₹64,000 crore inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with France for buying 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft to bolster the Indian Navy's firepower, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) release said, adding that a key part of the jets would be built in India and integration of indigenous weapons is on the cards. Deliveries of the naval aircraft are expected to begin by mid-2028 and conclude by the end of 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. The contract-signing follows the Cabinet Committee on Security's approval earlier this month. "The induction will lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation's air power at sea," said the MoD. The contract covers 22 single-seater jets capable of operating from an aircraft carrier, and four twin-seat trainers that are not carrier-compatible. Manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, these fighters are slated to be deployed on INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier. The MoD release described the Rafale-Marine as "a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in a maritime environment". The IGA includes "training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics" as also additional equipment for the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) existing Rafale fleet, said the MoD. In line with the government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement also includes transfer of technology for integrating indigenous weapons onto the Rafale-Marine jets in India. That apart, the IGA has the provision of setting up of a production facility for their fuselage as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons in India. "The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the setting up, production and running of these facilities," added the release. The Rafale-Marine will complement the Navy's existing fleet of Russian-origin MiG-29K jets, which operate from the Navy's two aircraft carriers — the other one being the older Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya. The MiG-29Ks have faced serviceability issues. The IAF already operates 36 Rafale jets, acquired under a ₹60,000 crore IGA with France signed in September 2016. Noting that the Rafale-Marine has commonality with the existing IAF Rafale jets, the MoD said the procurement will "substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both the Navy and the IAF". The IGA was signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu. The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi.
United News of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- United News of India
India inks deal with France for 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft for Indian Navy
New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The prowess of the Indian Navy is set to get a boost as it will be receiving 26 state-of-the-art Rafale fighter planes from France under an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The IGA has been signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu and copies of the agreement along with the pacts on aircraft package, supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, here on Monday. The cost of the 26 Rafale Marine Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) is estimated to be Rs 63,000 crore, although the price was not mentioned in the official statement issued by the Defence Ministry. The statement said that the IGA includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). In line with the government's thrust on 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', the agreement includes transfer of technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale fuselage as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs in setting up, production and running of these facilities. Manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environment. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by IAF. Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both Indian Navy and IAF. The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation's air power at sea. UNI RBE CS
Times of Oman
28-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
:India, France ink inter-governmental agreement for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for Navy
New Delhi : India and France on Monday inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy, a statement by the Ministry of Defence said. "The agreement includes Training, Simulator, Associated Equipment, Weapons and Performance-Based Logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF)," the statement said. "The IGA has been signed by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Mr Sebastien Lecornu. The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi on April 28, 2025," the statement read. The agreement is in line with government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as it includes transfer of technology for integration, repair and maintenance of weapons in India. "In line with the Government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs in setting up, production and running of these facilities," the statement read. "Manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environment. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India," as per the statement. "Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by IAF. Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both Indian Navy and IAF. The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation's air power at sea," the statement concluded.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
India, France sign Rs 63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-M aircraft
The Governments of India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 single-seaters and four twin-seaters) for the Indian Navy, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday. It includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics along with additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the French Minister of Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu signed the pact. The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi. In line with the government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes transfer of technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale Fuselage as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs in setting up, production and running of these facilities. Manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environment. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by IAF. For the Navy's fighter jet deal, the competition was between Boeing's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation's Rafale-M. While both fighters had met the Navy's requirements, the Rafale-M had common spares and support as the Rafale jets operated by the Indian Air Force. The Rafale jets, which were acquired after the Balakot aerial strike, have added to the Indian Air Force's firepower. The 36 Rafael fighter jets have been stationed in India's strategic air bases bordering Pakistan and China. The two sides have always prioritised co-production, co-development of military hardware with a focus on India's self-reliance goals. In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that has killed 26 people including 25 Indians, French President Emmanuel Macron had called up PM Modi on Thursday and 'conveyed his personal condolences on the brutal killing of innocent people in the heinous terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir'.
