<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Paris next week, nearly three months after India and France announced a raft of defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines.</p>.<p>He is also likely to travel to Italy as part of the two-nation trip, people familiar with the matter said on Friday, adding the dates for the visit are being finalised.</p>.<p>In March, India and Italy elevated their ties to the level of strategic partnership and signed an MoU to expand defence cooperation.</p>.India needs stronger armed forces to become developed nation by 2047: Rajnath Singh.<p>The aim of the visit is to expand India's defence cooperation with the two countries, the people cited said.</p>.<p>India's defence and strategic ties with France have been on an upswing in the last few years.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Paris in July during which the two sides announced a raft of ground-breaking defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines and construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.</p>.<p>The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.</p>.<p>Ahead of Modi's visit to Paris, the defence ministry had approved a proposal to purchase 26 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Navy. It also cleared procurement of three French-designed Scorpene class submarines.</p>
<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Paris next week, nearly three months after India and France announced a raft of defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines.</p>.<p>He is also likely to travel to Italy as part of the two-nation trip, people familiar with the matter said on Friday, adding the dates for the visit are being finalised.</p>.<p>In March, India and Italy elevated their ties to the level of strategic partnership and signed an MoU to expand defence cooperation.</p>.India needs stronger armed forces to become developed nation by 2047: Rajnath Singh.<p>The aim of the visit is to expand India's defence cooperation with the two countries, the people cited said.</p>.<p>India's defence and strategic ties with France have been on an upswing in the last few years.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Paris in July during which the two sides announced a raft of ground-breaking defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines and construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.</p>.<p>The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.</p>.<p>Ahead of Modi's visit to Paris, the defence ministry had approved a proposal to purchase 26 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Navy. It also cleared procurement of three French-designed Scorpene class submarines.</p>