On November 20, 2025, a significant milestone was achieved as the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) of India and the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) of France entered into a Technical Agreement. This pact is set to enhance long-term collaboration in defence research, innovation, and advanced technology development.
The agreement was formalized by Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, along with Lt Gen Gael Diaz de Tuesta, the National Armaments Director of DGA-France. The signing ceremony took place at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi.
The collaboration will emphasize key areas such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, cyber security, unmanned systems, space technology, propulsion, and advanced materials. It includes joint research initiatives, training programs, testing activities, and information exchanges within a shared intellectual property framework.
The agreement aligns with the India–France Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, aiming to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations. It establishes a structured framework to facilitate cooperation across multiple high-technology domains.
The pact outlines a comprehensive approach to joint research, facilitated through training, workshops, and seminars. It also supports technology transfer, offering a platform for the exchange of equipment, technical expertise, and cutting-edge technologies to bolster mutual capabilities.
The agreement introduces a unified framework for managing the Intellectual Property generated through collaborative R&D activities, ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.
The cooperation spans aeronautical platforms, advanced defence materials, and cyber security, focusing on the joint development of next-generation systems. The nations will collaborate on quantum technology, advanced sensors, and underwater systems to address future defence challenges.
This collaboration is poised to significantly enhance national security, bolster indigenous R&D capabilities, and contribute to global defence technology advancements. It supports the India–France Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, fostering the joint development of cutting-edge defence technologies.
In recognition of their continued partnership, both nations are contemplating declaring 2026 as the ‘India–France Year of Innovation’, marking a new chapter in their strategic alliance initiated on January 26, 1998.
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