Category: Jobseekers, Employers, General
New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly defended India’s proposed move to purchase and co-produce 114 Rafale fighter jets, saying he does not understand why the deal is being criticised. According to Macron, the agreement will strengthen India’s defence capability, deepen bilateral strategic ties, and create jobs in both countries.
Under the proposed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft programme, 18 jets are expected to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining aircraft would be manufactured in India with significant indigenous content. Macron emphasized that “Make in India” will be a core component of the project.
France has also signaled interest in expanding cooperation into submarine production, building on previous collaboration under Project 75.
This is not just a defence story. It is a massive industrial and employment opportunity.
Co-production in India means:
• Aerospace engineering roles
• Defence manufacturing technicians
• Supply chain specialists
• Quality control and testing engineers
• R&D and avionics experts
Thousands of direct and indirect jobs could emerge across manufacturing hubs.
Students in:
• Mechanical Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Electronics & Communication
• Defence Technology
• Robotics & AI
will see increased demand as India scales domestic defence production.
With up to 50 percent indigenous components planned in phases, Indian suppliers and MSMEs could benefit from:
• Component manufacturing contracts
• Precision machining
• Advanced materials production
• Technology transfer opportunities
This strengthens India’s industrial ecosystem.
India’s Air Force squadron strength has fallen below sanctioned levels. Large-scale procurement and domestic production create long-term employment cycles in:
• Manufacturing
• Maintenance & MRO
• Defence logistics
• Naval expansion projects
France has also indicated interest in submarine collaboration, further expanding job potential in maritime defence manufacturing.