Rajnath Singh says India-France partnership has no limits as Modi and Macron unveil H125 helicopter assembly line. Defence cooperation, Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and growing private sector participation mark a new phase in strategic and industrial collaboration.
In a strong endorsement of deepening bilateral ties, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday declared that the “sky is not the limit” for the expanding partnership between India and France. Highlighting the growing scope of cooperation across defence, high-end manufacturing, and strategic technologies, Singh described the rel
ationship as “mutually beneficial” and rooted in trust.
“India and France are trusted strategic partners,” Singh said, underscoring the steady evolution of ties between the two nations. His remarks came during a significant milestone event in the India-France defence collaboration, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron digitally unveiled the final assembly line of the H125 helicopter programme in India.
H125 Helicopter Project Signals Manufacturing Leap
The inauguration of the final assembly line for the Airbus H125 marks a major step forward in India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub for advanced defence platforms. Singh congratulated the teams of Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Helicopters for their collaborative efforts.
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to expanding our partnership in high-end manufacturing,” he said, adding that the project reflects the depth and maturity of India-France cooperation.
The investment in the H125 programme is expected to exceed Rs 1,000 crore and is projected to create substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities for skilled youth. The helicopter, renowned globally for its reliability, versatility, and performance across diverse terrains, is widely regarded as one of the most trusted single-engine helicopters in operation today.
Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat at the Core
Singh reiterated that flagship initiatives such as Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat have been central to India’s economic and industrial strategy since 2014. These policies aim to boost domestic manufacturing capacity, reduce import dependence in critical technologies, and promote self-reliance through strategic global partnerships.
Under these initiatives, India has pursued rapid industrialisation through large-scale infrastructure projects, increased capital expenditure in key sectors, and targeted schemes like the Production Linked Incentive scheme. The PLI scheme, in particular, has encouraged domestic and foreign investment by offering performance-based incentives to manufacturers across sectors.
Singh noted that the government has also implemented a liberalised investment regime to attract global players while strengthening the domestic ecosystem. “Our goal is industrial development that meets both domestic and international needs,” he said.
Expanding Private Sector Role in Defence
A key highlight of Singh’s address was the transformation of India’s defence manufacturing landscape. Historically dominated by the public sector due to high capital requirements and long development cycles, the defence industry has undergone major structural reforms in recent years.
Singh pointed to the corporatisation of ordnance factories, the establishment of defence industrial corridors, and various incentive schemes designed to enhance private sector participation. As a result, the private sector’s contribution has risen significantly, now accounting for nearly one-quarter of India’s overall defence output.
Defence exports have also witnessed robust growth, positioning India among emerging global defence exporters. According to Singh, this surge has had a cascading effect on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and auxiliary industries, which now number over 16,000 across the country.
He invited global companies to deepen partnerships with Indian firms through meaningful technology transfer and collaborative innovation. “We encourage our partners to provide advanced solutions that address the security needs of other nations as well,” he said.
Strategic Trust and Long-Term Vision
India and France share a long-standing strategic partnership that spans defence, space, maritime security, and civil nuclear cooperation. Over the years, both nations have consistently aligned on global security issues and Indo-Pacific stability.
Singh concluded his address by expressing gratitude to Airbus France and the French Defence Minister for their continued support and cooperation. He reaffirmed that the partnership between the two countries is built on mutual respect, trust, and shared strategic interests.
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With the launch of the H125 assembly line and expanding industrial collaboration, India-France ties appear poised to enter a new phase marked by advanced manufacturing, defence exports, and technology-driven growth.
As Singh emphatically stated, for India and France, the sky is not the limit—it is only the beginning.
