Rajnath meets CEOs of top French defence firms in Paris

New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday visited French defence major Safran Engine Division's R&D Centre at Gennevilliers near Paris, an official said.

During his visit to the Centre, he witnessed the latest developments in aero-engine technology, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. 

Olivier Andries, Global CEO Safran, welcomed the Defence Minister to the facility and, along with his team, gave a detailed briefing to him. 

Safran expressed interest in being a part of the Indian growth story by working with its counterparts on mutually agreed joint projects.

The Defence Minister also met the CEOs of the top French defence companies with a focus on their plans for collaboration with India. 

Eric Trappier, CEO Dassault; Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO Naval Group; Guillaume Faury, CEO Airbus; and Olivier Andries, CEO Safran Group were present during the interaction.

Singh highlighted the advantages of co-development and co-production in India, including possibilities of exports to third countries. 

He underlined the inherent advantages of the Indian market such as a large, skilled HR base, world class infrastructure and a strong legal architecture.

Later in the day, Rajnath Singh will be holding the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue with the French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu.

The Defence Minister reached Paris late on October 10 after his visit to Italy and interacted with the Indian community in France at India House. 

He highlighted the various achievements of India in the defence sector such as increased defence exports, increasing indigenous production of defence equipment, concerted efforts on co-development and co-production in India and an enhanced outreach in the region, the statement added.