France and Airbus eye up Indian defence deals
The Indian Air Force received delivery of the first of 56 C-295 transporters in 2023. (Photo: Airbus)
India has kickstarted an ambitious procurement process on a number of defence platforms for its Armed Forces with Airbus and France likely to be the main contenders for contract wins.
India’s defence industry has received a boost as the country’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) – the first step in the procurement process – for capital acquisition proposals late last week. At the top of the list was the delayed and overdue procurement of 15 Medium-range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) and Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
In 2021, the Indian Air Force contracted a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus Defence and Space for 56 C-295 transporters with the first delivered last
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns]()
UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
-
![Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition]()
Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
-
![March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics]()
March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
-
![US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions]()
US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
-
![Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift]()
Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
