New Delhi, 15 Feb

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with France's Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, in Bengaluru on 17 February, as per an official release by the Ministry of Defence.

The meeting will review the entire gamut of bilateral defence cooperation, with a focus on expanding industrial collaboration, the release stated.

During the dialogue, a defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another 10 years.

An MoU on a joint venture for the manufacturing of Hammer missiles is also likely to be signed in the presence of both Defence Ministers.

An announcement is expected regarding the reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.

The two Ministers are also expected to witness the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at Vemagal in Karnataka, the release said.

Defence is an important pillar of India-France relationship. The strong ties were reflected in 2024-2025 through a series of high-profile exchanges.