France, India step up military allegiance with offer of more Rafale jets

France has offered to arm India’s new aircraft carrier with Rafale jets as it looks to ramp up ties with its South Asian ally after Australia’s rejection of a submarine deal and nagging worries over China’s influence in the high seas.

“India and China are huge markets but since Beijing does not buy, India becomes vital to France,” said Anil Chopra, director-general of India’s Centre for Air Power Studies military think tank.

“So France wants to win our hearts, our politicians and our military to be able to sell their jets and their equipment to us because ultimately the Indian air force cannot just have 36 Rafales,” Chopra told RFI.

France has delivered 33 of the 36 Rafales as part of a 2016 deal worth seven billion Euros and its Defence Minister Florence Parly in a recent visit hoped to sell more to outfit India’s new aircraft carrier undergoing sea trials.