New Delhi:During a strategic dialogue between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic and military advisors, it was revealed that the French defence conglomerate Safran Group has expressed its willingness to set up its first Defence Electronics unit outside of France in India. This move is seen as a sign of the deepening strategic relationship between the two countries. The discussions also focused on advanced materials and metallurgy, with France agreeing to work with India on these crucial aspects for manufacturing critical parts of military and civilian engines. Safran also announced plans to establish a defence electronics facility in India, while French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation SA is already building a maintenance and repair facility for Rafale fighter jets in Uttar Pradesh.

Furthermore, France has agreed to jointly develop unmanned sub-surface, surface, and aerial systems with India, as well as support India in developing counter-swarm and armed drone technology.

Other important issues discussed during the dialogue included cyber security, space applications, and the joint development and manufacture of stand-off weapons.