With India’s 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal potentially reaching $50 billion, the Rafale is the clear frontrunner. However, New Delhi must look beyond traditional “Make in India” assembly. For a deal of this magnitude, India holds the leverage to demand a two-way street: France should begin procuring Indian-made defense systems for its own military.
For decades, the Indo-French defense relationship has been a one-way flow of high-value acquisitions. As the scale of investment hits unprecedented levels, India should mandate that France integrate indigenous hardware, such as the Astra BVR missiles, Pinaka rocket systems, or Indian loitering munitions, into the French Armed Forces or its global supply chain.
The Case for Reciprocity:
- Global Validation: Adoption by France provides a “Gold Standard” certification, easing Indian entry into NATO and EU markets.
- Supply Chain Integration: Integrating the BrahMos-NG or Astra onto the global Rafale fleet would make Indian firms indispensable to Dassault’s ecosystem.
- Economic Balance: Reciprocal buying offsets the massive capital flight inherent in multi-billion dollar foreign defense contracts.
As France secures its industrial future through Indian orders, New Delhi must ensure the “strategic partnership” is truly bilateral. If India provides the market for France’s wings, France must provide a home for India’s emerging defense technology.
