**Executive Summary**
This document announces the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue, to be co-chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and French Minister Ms. Catherine Vautrin, in Bengaluru on February 17, 2026. The dialogue will focus on bilateral defence cooperation and expanding industrial collaboration. A defence cooperation agreement renewal and MoU signing are expected.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Dialogue Details:**
* The 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue will take place in Bengaluru on February 17, 2026.
* Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and French Minister Ms. Catherine Vautrin will co-chair.
* The meeting will review the entire gamut of bilateral defence cooperation.
* Focus on expanding industrial collaboration.
* **Agreements and Initiatives:**
* A defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another 10 years.
* An MoU on Joint Venture for manufacturing of Hammer missiles is likely to be signed.
* Announcement of reciprocal deployment of officers at the Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments is expected.
* Virtual inauguration of H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron is expected.
* **Bilateral Relationship:**
* Defence is an important pillar of the relationship.
* Strong ties reflected through high-profile exchanges in 2024-2025.
* India-EU Security & Defence Partnership marks significant deepening of engagement.
* Increase in Military-to-Military cooperation via exercises: Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force).
* **Ministerial Visit:**
* This is Ms. Catherine Vautrin's maiden visit to India as French Defence Minister.
* The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue is a structured ministerial-level bilateral meeting.
**Impact Analysis**
**India and France Defence Ministries**
* **Impact:** The dialogue serves to guide and deepen defence & security cooperation between India and France.
* **Action Required:** To participate in the dialogue and implement the agreements and initiatives discussed.
**Indian Army and French Land Forces**
* **Impact:** Potential for reciprocal deployment of officers.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for potential officer deployments.
**Tata Airbus**
* **Impact:** Official inauguration of H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for virtual inauguration by Prime Minister Modi and President Macron.
Key Entities Referenced
India-France Annual Defence Dialogue: Ministerial-level bilateral meeting to review and guide defence & security cooperation between India and France.
Ministry of Defence: Indian ministry involved in the India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: Location of the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.
India-EU Security & Defence Partnership: Recent partnership marking a significant step in deepening collective engagement with European nations.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri & his French counterpart to co-
chair 6th Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru
Posted On: 15 FEB 2026 2:55PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with
Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of France Ms Catherine Vautrin in Bengaluru,
Karnataka on February 17, 2026. The meeting will review the entire gamut of bilateral defence
cooperation, with focus on expanding industrial collaboration.
During the meeting, a defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another 10 years, with
an MoU on Joint Venture for manufacturing of Hammer missiles likely to be signed in the presence of
both Defence Ministers. An announcement is also expected with respect to reciprocal deployment of
officers at the Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
The two Ministers are also expected to witness the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility
Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and French President Mr
Emmanuel Macron at Vemagal, Karnataka.
Defence has traditionally formed an important pillar of the relationship between the two countries. The
strong and enduring bilateral ties were vividly reflected in 2024-2025 through a series of high-profile
exchanges. PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in July 2023, before the French
President graced the Republic Day Parade 2024 as the Chief Guest.
The recent India-EU Security & Defence Partnership marks a significant step in deepening collective
engagement with European nations. Military-to-Military cooperation is on an increase. India and France
have been regularly carrying out three major exercises - Exercise Shakti with Army, Exercise Varuna with
Navy, and Exercise Garuda with Air Force, and several other opportunity engagements.
This would be the maiden visit of Ms Catherine Vautrin to India after she took over as the French Defence
Minister on October 12, 2025. The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue is a structured ministerial-level
bilateral meeting to review and guide defence & security cooperation. The 5th edition of the meeting was
held in France from October 11-13, 2023.
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