Defence minister Rajnath Singh to visit Italy, France this week to boost defence ties

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is embarking on a four-day visit to France and Italy to strengthen bilateral strategic engagements and explore industrial cooperation for joint military system development. This visit follows the approval for the acquisition of 26 French Rafale-Marine fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines. India and France have also agreed to co-develop advanced fighter jet and helicopter engines.