DefenceTalkThe multi-billion Euro deal for 36 Rafales moved a step closer to a decision as the file on the fighter jets has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for final review and clearance. Defence sources said today the final report submitted by a team negotiating the much-anticipated Rafale deal with France has been cleared […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indian-rafale-deal-closer-to-a-decision-goes-for-final-review-68095/

DefenceTalkThe leak of secret technical data on French submarines designed for the Indian navy was a “malicious act”, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Thursday. “We will use every means at our disposal to learn the truth” in the affair, which came to light last week, Le Drian told reporters. “Obviously, it was a malicious […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-condemns-submarine-secrets-leak-68093/

DefenceTalkFrance has deployed special forces in northern Syria to advise the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting the Islamic State group, a defence ministry official said Thursday. “The offensive at Manbij is clearly being backed by a certain number of states including France. It’s the usual support — it’s advisory,” the official told AFP, without giving […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-says-special-forces-in-syria-advising-rebels-67627/

DefenceTalkEurope’s nEUROn unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator was presented in flight today at an air meet at Istres organized by the French Air Force. It is the first time in world aeronautical history that a stealth aircraft controlled from the ground has flown in public. The event – which was prepared by teams from Dassault […]https://www.defencetalk.com/another-world-first-for-the-neuron-uav-67610/

DefenceTalkAustralia may have awarded France a bumper contract to build its next generation of submarines, but its highly secretive combat system will come from close ally the United States. French shipbuilder DCNS last week beat off Germany and Japan to secure the Aus$50 billion (US$39 billion) deal to design and build the 12 subs, a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-to-build-australia-subs-but-us-to-arm-them-67371/

DefenceTalkFrench naval contractor DCNS on Tuesday won a Aus$50 billion (US$39 billion) contract to design and build Australia’s next generation of submarines, beating competition from Germany and Japan in the country’s biggest ever defence procurement programme. The announcement by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull culminates years of planning to replace Australia’s ageing diesel and electric-powered Collins […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-wins-bid-to-build-australias-new-submarines-67334/

DefenceTalkFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Sunday warned Iran of possible European sanctions over its recent ballistic missile launches. “If necessary, sanctions will be taken,” Ayrault said after a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry and several European counterparts. Kerry described the launches — which the US has asked to be discussed at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sanctions-possible-over-iran-ballistic-missile-launches-france-67036/

DefenceTalkU.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses joined French aircraft and ground troops from a dozen nations to kick off a close air support exercise in the Mediterranean March 7. Serpentex, an annual French-led exercise, involves joint terminal attack controllers from 12 partner countries. Operating on the French island of Corsica, the JTACs work together to practice […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-52s-join-french-forces-for-close-air-support-exercise-66978/

DefenceTalkEgypt and France began Sunday joint manoeuvres in the Mediterranean in which French Rafale warplanes purchased by Cairo last year are taking part, the Egyptian army said. The “Ramses 2016” military and naval exercise is being held off the coast of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and are expected to last for several days, the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/egypt-france-in-joint-mediterranean-military-exercise-66943/

DefenceTalkThe Defence Secretary and Prime Minister visited Amiens, France where a ground-breaking new £1.54bn project was announced to build a prototype of the next generation of unmanned aircraft. The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project builds on the successful £120million joint feasibility study undertaken after the last UK France Summit in 2014. At the summit, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-uk-future-combat-air-system-project-moves-forward-66931/