france Looking to Make Inroads in Indian Defence Market

After having made inroads in to the Indian armed forces’ air and sea segments, France is now making a determined bid to supply equipment to the army.

"France is willing to co-produce high technology weapon platforms with its strategic partners," said French Defence Minister Herve Morim, while inaugurating Eurosatory 2008, the world's largest land weapon systems exposition in Paris on Tuesday. India and France became all weather all-issues strategic partners in 1998. The relationship was reiterated during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India in January this year and will be given an impetus during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to France later this month.

Leading the French showcasing of its land weapon systems to senior Indian Ministry of Defence officials here is Nexter, known earlier by the more recognised name of Giat. Paris believes that New Delhi would be comfortable in dealing with this company since it is fully owned by the government.

The Nexter has already bagged an order for supplying turrets to the army but the order is again for the air segment. It is now eyeing the much more lucrative tender for self-propelled artillery guns that will replace the ageing Bofors howitzers.

On offer is the Caesar, a truck mounted artillery gun, accompanied by full transfer of technology.

As opposed to towed and tracked artillery guns, truck mounted howitzers are considered the spearhead of the 21st century artillery although for reasons known to itself the Indian Army is tendering for all three versions. The company offers a look into its recent past to argue that the offer to pass on technology will be matched when it comes to practice.

Along with the change in name from Giat to Nexter, the company downscaled its workforce from 18,000 to just 3,500.

“So we now make only core products not available in the open market. That means for the Indian army, we are totally open to full transfer of technology and co-development,” argues Laurent Nicholas, the company’s business chief for Asia and Australia. “We are also totally open to India offering its chassis, whether by the Tatas or anyone else. But we need time to work with the local industry.”

The time schedule required to indigenise the product is a “serious issue” not understood by New Delhi, added Mr. Nicholas, seeking to speak for the defence industry world-wide dealing with India.

Another area that France wants to enter is the armour-plated troop carrying assault vehicles for the mechanised infantry, for long the preserve of the Russians. With Russian origin BMP vehicles ageing, The Nexter wants to push its more modern nuclear warfare proof armoured vehicles that are used to rush the infantry through heavy fire to assault sites.

The exposition saw the company unveiling its ‘Aravis’ 4x4 vehicle for counter-insurgency operations. Developed after the experience of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Aravis can be transported by the C-130 Hercules which will shortly be inducted in the Indian armed forces.

“We can bring it for tests by October 1, should India desire that,” offers Alain Marchand, the company’s business development manager for Asia.

“Tests by India should vindicate our claim that can defeat 10 kg of mines, fire from machine guns, something that is needed for anti-insurgency operations in Kashmir, the North-East and Central India,” he adds.

In case France enters the Indian armed force’s land weapon systems market, it will add another chapter to the unique defence relationship. Till the mid-80s, political ties were lukewarm and indeed at a low ebb in the 50s and 60s when Paris was irritated by India’s support to national liberation movements in Africa and Asia, where France had a substantial colonial footprint. But that did not deter a close defence relationship during which France sold Mystere fighters when none was willing to help, and later the Mirage jets.
Submarines

After the turning point in 1998, France is now building advanced submarines for the Navy, helping India reduce its dependency in this area on Russia. “We are now more than keen to help the Indian Army, more because our ability to supply good quality systems consistently is well known. And that too without any political preconditions,” observes the French Ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont.