India-Safran Shakti Jet Engines Deal Focused on Advanced Tech Transfer

Defense News ,India & France :- In the ongoing diplomatic exchanges between India and Safran concerning the Shakti jet engine deal, Ambassador Jawed Ashraf, India's representative in France, shed light on the intricate nature of the negotiations. The primary focus of these discussions, according to Ambassador Ashraf, is to align the specifications with India's future fighter jet requirements.

"This is a subject of ongoing discussions," Ambassador Ashraf emphasized, underscoring that the deliberations go beyond mere technology transfer. The deal aims to delve into the actual design phase, metallurgical aspects, and other critical elements essential for the development of advanced jet engines.

During a special briefing on French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India, Ambassador Ashraf highlighted the significance of a comprehensive approach. He stressed, "What we are looking for is not just a manufacturing transfer of technology but to work in the actual design phase, metallurgical aspects, etc."

Safran, a key player in the aerospace industry, has expressed its willingness to engage in a 100% transfer of technology across various phases of the project, including design development, certification, and production. Despite this openness, Ambassador Ashraf acknowledged the complexities involved and emphasized the need to align discussions with India's overall future defense requirements.

"So Safran is fully willing to do it with 100% transfer of technology, 100% transfer of technology in design development, certification, production and so on and so forth," Ashraf stated. He recognized the complexity of the subject and its integration with India's future defense needs, emphasizing that ongoing discussions form a crucial part of the defense industry roadmap.

In a significant decision in July 2023, India and France extended their defense cooperation by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. The collaboration also included industrial cooperation for the motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) program with Safran Helicopter Engine. This decision followed talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron in Paris.

Earlier in April 2023, Safran's Group Chairman, Ross McInnes, discussed a technological partnership with PM Modi in the defense and space sectors. The French firm, known for manufacturing aircraft and rocket engines, had previously signed a workshare agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) in February 2023 for the joint development of engines intended for the future 13-tonne Indian MultiRole Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval version Deck-Based MultiRole Helicopter (DBMRH).