India and France are set to hold extensive deliberations to further deepen the already close bilateral defence cooperation including co-development of major military platforms during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit.

Defence cooperation is also likely to be the focus of talks between PM Narendra Modi and President Macron.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the French Defence Minister Florence Parly are also reportedly likely to discuss projects including the Scorpene submarine programme for the Indian Navy as the French side has been exploring additional orders for French defence major Naval Group as well.

India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. is presently building six Scorpene class submarines under Project 75 in partnership with the French Naval Group. India has also started the process to acquire another six submarines under project P-75 (I).

Four foreign ship-builders are set to be the main contenders for the project to build six advanced stealth submarines at a cost of around Rs. 60,000 crore under the strategic partnership model.

It has been reported that Parly has also communicated to the Indian Defence Minister that the Naval Group has responded favourably to the Request For Information (RFI) for the new P-75(I) programme.

Naval Group, Russia's Rosoboronexport Rubin Design Bureau, Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Sweden's Saab group have responded to the government's request for proposal (RFI) for the project as well.

The project is said to be critical to counter the rapid expansion of China's submarine fleet. The Navy has been pressing the government for clearing the project.

Parly is also likely to push for a follow up order of additional Rafale fighter jets after delivery of 36 jets under a Rs. 58,000 crore deal was finalised in 2016.

The two ministers are also likely to deliberate on a range of other possible co-development initiatives.