Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, French officials have indicated that Paris is comfortable with sharing technology for the proposed Rafale fighter jet deal and that the integration of Indian-made weapons is part of the package under discussion.French diplomatic sources in New Delhi said on Thursday that technology transfer and the government’s Make in India initiative would be integral to the deal. Asked whether Indian weapons would be integrated onto the aircraft, a diplomatic source said the incorporation of indigenous weapons systems was also part of the proposal.France does not view its defence relationship with India through a “customer-provider” lens, the source said, adding that “very substantive and deep discussions” are underway on the Rafale programme. Modi is scheduled to visit France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18.French sources also confirmed that a bilateral meeting between Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron would include discussions on India’s pending order for three additional Scorpene submarines.France’s Naval Group has already delivered six Scorpene submarines, commissioned into the Indian Navy as the Kalvari class. A follow-on order for three more submarines remains under consideration.The Indian Navy is facing a growing submarine shortfall. The force has 16 conventional submarines. Apart from the six Scorpenes, most of its submarines are more than three decades old.On the Rafale front, India has sent a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to France for the procurement of 114 additional fighter jets. An LoR is the formal government-to-government communication that initiates a defence acquisition process under the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) framework.India has identified several non-negotiable requirements for the deal, including the integration of indigenous weapons and data links, as well as transfer of technology covering the engine, airframe and avionics. The integration of Indian missiles and munitions across the entire fleet of 114 aircraft is also part of the proposal.The aircraft are expected to be equipped with a next-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, offering greater detection range and improved resistance to electronic warfare. Satellite connectivity and artificial intelligence-enabled systems are expected to enhance pilot situational awareness and decision-making.The Rafale acquisition forms part of the Indian Air Force’s broader effort to rebuild its fighter squadron strength. The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale fighters, while the Indian Navy has ordered 26 carrier-capable variants of the aircraft. A larger fleet would also help reduce maintenance and lifecycle costs.Indian sources said discussions between Modi and Macron are also expected to cover joint engine-development programmes for future fighter aircraft and helicopters.French aerospace company Safran and state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are collaborating on engines for the proposed 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH). Safran is also partnering with the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) on a new 120-kilonewton-thrust engine for India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).Meanwhile, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran have partnered to manufacture Hammer precision-guided munitions in India. The weapon is already integrated with the IAF’s Rafale fleet and was employed during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May last year. The Hammer can also be integrated with the IAF’s Mirage 2000 and Tejas fighter aircraft, with around 180 Tejas jets currently on order.