Strengthening defence ties with Paris provide hope for submarine deal

For France, which is still reeling from Australia's cancellation of a $90-bn order for Shortfin Barracuda conventional submarines, India offers an irresistible strategic opportunity

Paris is pressing home an opportunity to consolidate its strategic defence partnership with India. Through visiting French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, President Emmanuel Macron has conveyed the offer to New Delhi of a “no-limits” defence and security partnership, with full operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

For France, which is still reeling from Australia’s cancellation of a $90-billion order for Shortfin Barracuda conventional submarines from French shipbuilders, Naval Group, India offers a strategic opportunity.

This lies in the Indian Navy’s proposed acquisition of six submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP), designated Project 75-I — a tender that is in the doldrums. Of