French aerospace industries association GIFAS has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) on the sidelines of an industrial mission to India, led by Eric Trappier, the Chairman of GIFAS and Chairman of CIDEF (Council of French Defence Industries), involving representatives from 60 French aerospace industrial companies. The mission was organised by GIFAS with support from SIDM.

The agreement aims to promote a sustainable framework for present and future partnerships and cooperative actions between the French aerospace industry and the Indian defence industry by reaffirming the necessity to expand trade, through stronger economic and industrial cooperation, between France and India, and towards export customers.

The MoU will allow the implementation of measures to promote a mutually beneficial cooperation in aerospace and defence manufacturing, research & technology, human capital, engineering services, systems integration.

The cooperation will focus on five areas of common interest:

- development of business opportunities between members of GIFAS and SIDM,

- training and human capital development,

- research and technology,

- aerospace industry policy and business environment,

- international trade issues.