1. Commercial Aerospace

Market Growth

• By 2025, India is set to become the world’s third-largest civil aviation market, with over 600 new aircraftprojected in the next 5 years.

• According to Boeing and Airbus, India will require over 2,200 new commercial aircraft over the next two decades.

Key Orders

• In 2023, Air India placed a historic 470-aircraft order—220 from Boeing and 250 from Airbus—valued at approximately $46 billion, with deliveries starting mid‑2025.

France–India Industrial Partnerships

• Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems will begin production of H125 helicopters in India. The final assembly line (FAL) is expected to be operational by 2026 with a capacity of 10–50 units/year.

• Over 55% of French exports to India are aeronautics-related, amounting to €2.7–2.95 billion in the first half of 2024 alone, largely driven by Airbus and Thales.
   

 2. Defense & Aerospace Defense
Industry Performance
 

• India’s defense production hit an all-time high in FY 2023–24 at ₹1.27 lakh crore (~€170 billion). About 79% came from state-run PSUs, and ~20% from the private sector.

• Defense exports reached ₹21,083 crore (~$2.6 billion), up 32% from the previous year. The target is ₹50,000 crore (~$5.8B) by 2029.
   

Major Projects (2023–2025)

Rafale & Local Manufacturing

• In June 2025, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems signed a deal to manufacture Rafale fighter fuselages in Hyderabad. Deliveries begin FY 2028 at a pace of 2 fuselages/month.

• India signed a $7 billion deal in 2025 for 26 Rafale M (naval version) fighters, to be delivered by 2030.
   

Engine Development

• In July 2025, France and India launched a strategic ₹61,000 crore (~$7.3B) joint project to co-develop next-generation fighter jet engines, a milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance.

• Safran and HAL previously agreed to collaborate on engines for India’s IMRH (Indian Multi‑Role Helicopter)and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).

• The AMCA engine program will feature full technology transfer, a major leap for India’s indigenous defense R&D capabilities.
   

Submarines & Naval Technology

• Ongoing discussions since 2023 for three additional Scorpène-class submarines (Project P75), in cooperation with Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Ltd., totaling ~€9 billion.

• Future collaboration includes AIP (air-independent propulsion) systems and advanced combat systems for next-gen submarines (P75-A).
   

Joint Training & Exercises

• The "Tarang Shakti" multilateral air exercise in 2024 featured French participation with over 150 aircraft—India’s largest ever.

• The long-standing Garuda air exercise (since 2003) remains a pillar of Indo‑French air force cooperation.

​Strategic Importance for FIBC

• Promote French aerospace and defense expertise as part of India’s modernization and self-reliance strategy.

• Support joint ventures in aircraft components, engines, naval systems, UAVs, and advanced defense electronics.

• Position France as a long-term strategic partner aligned with India’s export ambitions and technology ecosystem.

• Create opportunities for FIBC members in industrial corridors, training partnerships, and collaborative R&D programs.