France and India deepen defence ties, expand cooperation into AI and space

Speaking at one outlet Defence Summit, Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif described the India-France defence relationship as a 75-year-old strategic partnership that was reinforced into a Special Global Strategic Partnership following President Emmanuel Macron’s visit earlier this year. He said both countries intend to extend cooperation beyond conventional air operations into emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation and space, and to align their defence industries while respecting sovereignty.

Tardif noted India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat drive to build domestic expertise is understandable and normal from France’s perspective. The French Air and Space Force arrived in Jodhpur on September 25 as part of Mission PÉGASE 26, fielding four Rafale fighters and a 300-person team for the Tarang Shakti 2026 multinational air combat exercise, which runs until mid-October and includes forces from seven other nations. He met Exercise Director Air Vice Marshal Raj Thakur to discuss interoperability and tactical coordination. The exercise aims to enhance joint operational capability and share expertise among participants.