India defence minister Rajnath Singh (File Photo).
India-France Defence Cooperation – Annual Defence Dialogue: Bengaluru | February 15, 2026: India’s Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on February 17, 2026. The dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular focus on expanding industrial collaboration between the two nations.
During the meeting, a defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another ten years, while a Memorandum of Understanding on a joint venture for manufacturing Hammer missiles is likely to be signed in the presence of both defence ministers. An announcement is also anticipated regarding reciprocal deployment of officers at the Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
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Airbus H-125 Helicopter.
Inauguration of Tata-Airbus H125 Helicopter Assembly
The two defence ministers are expected to witness the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter final assembly line at Tata Airbus in Vemagal, Karnataka. The event will be jointly addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The ceremony marks a milestone in India-France industrial collaboration, highlighting the integration of domestic aerospace manufacturing with global defence technology partnerships.
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Deepening Military-to-Military Ties
Defence has traditionally been a core pillar of India-France relations. The strength of the bilateral relationship was demonstrated through high-profile exchanges in 2023–2025. PM Modi served as Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in July 2023, while President Macron was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade in 2024.
Military-to-military cooperation continues to expand, with India and France regularly conducting three major exercises — Exercise Shakti with the Army, Exercise Varuna with the Navy, and Exercise Garuda with the Air Force — alongside other operational engagements.
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Ministerial Dialogue Framework
This will be the maiden visit of Catherine Vautrin to India after assuming office as French Defence Minister on October 12, 2025. The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue serves as a structured ministerial-level platform to review, guide, and strengthen defence and security cooperation. The 5th edition of the dialogue was held in France from October 11–13, 2023.
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