Description

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Context:

A major defence system, developed jointly by India and France, has bagged an export order from a third nation, showcasing the potential of co-development and Indian low-cost manufacturing.

About Trajan's Weapon

Aspect	Details
Type	155mm towed artillery gun system.
Development	Jointly developed by India and France.
Manufacturers	Jointly developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and KNDS France.
Testing	Underwent rigorous testing by the Indian Army, meeting all quality requirements.
Manufacturing Location	Manufactured in India.
In-House Development	Several subsystems were developed in-house, including an auxiliary power unit, control panel, and chassis assembly.
Range	Over 40 kilometers, depending on the type of ammunition used.
Design Features	Modular design for easy transport and deployment. Automated loading system for high rate of fire.
Terrain Compatibility	Capable of operating in a variety of terrains, from marshy plains to high-altitude cold deserts.
Targeting and Fire Control	Features advanced targeting and fire control systems, integrating seamlessly with modern military networks.

About India-Frace Relationship

Aspect	Details
Defense Cooperation
Arms Supply	France (33%) is the second largest arms supplier to India, including key projects like Rafale aircraft and the P-75 Scorpene project.
Defense Industry Roadmap	Joint design, development, and co-production to meet India's defense needs and exports to friendly countries.
Key Project	Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for Advanced Aircraft Propulsion (LEAP) and Rafale engines.
Military Exercises	Bilateral exercises such as VARUNA and FRINJEX-23, and multifaceted exercises like La Perouse and ORION.
Geo-Strategic Cooperation	The India-France Indo-Pacific Plan (2023) expanded cooperation from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to the entire Indo-Pacific.
Space Cooperation	France is a major supplier of components for India's space program, collaborating on future launch vehicles and the TRISHNA Earth observation mission.
Economic Cooperation
Investment	France is one of the largest investors in India with FDI inflows of USD 659.77 million for FY 2022-23.
Aerospace Collaboration	Tata Group and Airbus to produce civil helicopters; CFM International and Akasa Air to purchase 300+ LEAP-1B engines.
Digital Collaboration	UPI launched from the Eiffel Tower to offer secure transactions for Indian visitors and NRIs; the French company developed 14 supercomputers, including Param Siddhi (4.6 petaflops/s).
Multilateral Cooperation
UNSC	France supports India's permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Support on Kashmir and Terrorism	Actively supports India's positions on Kashmir and terrorism at the UN and FATF.
MTCR and Other Regimes	Facilitated India's accession to MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), and Australia Group (AG).

Source:

ECONOMIC TIMES

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Examine the evolution of India-France relations in the post-independence period. Highlight key areas of cooperation, including defense, space, economic ties, and multilateral engagement. How can this partnership contribute to regional and global stability in the Indo-Pacific? (250 words)