Indo – French Ties Should Strengthen Further
By
Colonel Awadhesh Kumar
Post Afghanistan, there is lot of geostrategic churning taking place round the globe. Instead of silently watching the events and then reacting, India too must become proactive. One such event which has taken place is the forming of AUKUS that is a so called Strategic Security Alliance formed by Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America. It is being “so called” because UK ( comprising England, a Chaffing Scotland trying to gain independence and occupied Northern Ireland ) is already a totally spent force and Australia is not taken seriously by China at all.
Formation of AUKUS has angered not only China but even France, though for different reasons. Security tie up with USA may be fine but by choosing American nuclear submarines and cancelling the French conventional Submarine deal Australia is sacrificing its immediate economic interests to line up under the American banner against China. A strategy that is not without risk. It will take over a decade for the first of nuclear submarines to join the Australian Navy and another decade for the entire lot of six.
With the sudden cancellation of orders worth nearly 56 billion Euros for 12 submarines, the French are visibly angry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian reacted by stating that it was simply “ Betrayal of Confidence …a blow in the back “. The French Defence Minister Florence Parly added “ This is very bad news for respecting the word given and a serious decision in international politics”.
Though French seem to be more angry with the USA. Drain said without mincing words “ This unilateral, brutal, unpredictable decision resembles what Mr. Trump was doing. This is not done between allies, it is quite unbearable”. Even Parly added “We are lucid about the way in which the United States regards its allies”. It seems both USA and Australia have forgotten that in the Into Pacific, France has nearly two million citizens and nearly 10000 soldiers.
Therefore it is time that France should come closer to India for a loud and clear independent strategy for both Into Pacific and the Indian Ocean Region. French presidential elections are due In next Seven months in Apr next year. Macron now will be under tremendous pressure from lefty parties for loss of Billions of Order, the Covid fiasco,attempted pension reforms and lately from the potent Green lobbies.
India must step in immediately and without batting an eyelid order for six more Scorpene submarine to be made in India with three each at Mazagaon Docks and L& T. Another six may be made by Mazagaon with Russian Collaboration. Thus before the Indian designed and constructed submarines start entering Service with the Indian Navy we will already be having a force of 18 new and around 6 old submarine.
Also the IAF should make a quick assessment regarding boosting the Squadron numbers for a two front war. India should then place orders for four more squadrons of Rafale fighters and they can be through Make In India. The RFP for MMRCA fighters may be cancelled or just ignored. Another two areas for close cooperation and important will be a speedy development of KAVERI Jet engine a new engine through collaboration with Safran and full blown cooperation for construction of a 70000 T nuclear powered aircraft carrier.
All the above will entail a huge financial deal. However in the given circumstances both sides can make the deal a Win Win for both sides. Also spread over nearly a decade, it will not be a financial burden on the rising Indian Economy. Rather it will be giving a boost to the Indian defence sector. So instead of mourning France should make a move and India too should grab the opportunity and rise up to the occasion.
