February 15, New Delhi – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with the French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on February 17, 2026. The dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation, with a focus on expanding industrial collaboration.
During the meeting, a defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another 10 years, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Joint Venture for the manufacturing of Hammer missiles is likely to be signed in the presence of both Defence Ministers. An announcement on the reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments is also expected.
The two Ministers are scheduled to witness the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at Vemagal, Karnataka.
Defence has traditionally been a key pillar of India-France relations. The strong bilateral ties were highlighted in 2024-2025 through high-profile exchanges, including Prime Minister Modi's role as Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in July 2023, and President Macron's presence as Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade 2024.
The recent India-EU Security & Defence Partnership marks a step forward in deepening collective engagement with European nations. Military-to-military cooperation continues to grow, with India and France regularly conducting Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy), Exercise Garuda (Air Force), and other operational engagements.
This will be the first visit of Catherine Vautrin to India since assuming office as French Defence Minister on October 12, 2025. The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue is a structured ministerial-level meeting to review and guide defence and security cooperation. The 5th edition was held in France from October 11-13, 2023.
(File Photo: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh)
(Source: Ministry of Defence)