§ Building on a decade-long relationship and
aligned with India's Make in India vision, Thales and Kalyani Strategic
Systems Limited (KSSL) have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to establish
an advanced industrial capability for 70-mm rocket systems in India.
§ This strategic partnership combines Thales' combat-proven rocket
technologies with KSSL's advanced manufacturing, integration and testing
capabilities to support both Indian and global requirements.
§ The alliance provides a framework for technology transfer, local
production and distribution for both unguided and laser-guided 70-mm rocket
systems and associated equipment.
§ The collaboration aims to develop a robust local supply chain
and position India as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for advanced
rocket systems.
§
The first fully assembled rocket produced in India is targeted for early
2027
New Delhi : During
the Belgian state visit to India, Thales and Kalyani
Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the wholly-owned defence subsidiary of Bharat
Forge Limited, signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to explore
collaboration on both the unguided and laser-guided variants of Thales’ 70-mm
rocket systems, which are already in use by the Indian Armed Forces.
The partnership
marks a significant step in strengthening India-Belgium defence cooperation
while advancing India's ambition to become a globally competitive defence
manufacturing hub. By combining Thales' advanced rocket technologies and global
market reach with KSSL's established expertise in defence manufacturing, system
integration and industrialisation, the companies will create an indigenous
capability to address domestic requirements and support international
opportunities. As part of this collaboration, Thales will leverage its
long-standing partnership with India and contribute its global expertise
in 2.75-inch / 70-mm rockets and launchers developed in Belgium,
while KSSL will utilise its local manufacturing and testing
facilities to support production and integration of components
from Thales’ qualified supply chain, ensuring international quality
standards.
Ankur
Kanaglekar, Vice-President – India, Thales: “Thales
has partnered with India for decades and this collaboration with KSSL is a
testament to our deep and long-standing engagement with the local defence
ecosystem. By combining our combat-proven 70mm rocket expertise from Belgium
with KSSL’s engineering and manufacturing strengths, we are co-creating
capabilities that will enhance India’s operational readiness and advance its vision
of self-reliance in critical defence technologies.”
Neelesh
Tungar, CEO, Kalyani Strategic Systems
Ltd.: "By combining Thales' proven technologies with Kalyani
Strategic Systems' advanced industrial ecosystem including our upcoming
Energetics facility in Andhra Pradesh, this strategic partnership lays the
foundation for indigenous production of next-generation rocket systems. Beyond
strengthening the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces, it advances
the vision of 'Make in India for the World,' positioning India as a globally
competitive hub for advanced defence technologies."
Trusted by 70 armed forces across 55
countries, Thales’ 70-mm solutions support multi-role mission
flexibility and multi-platform integration across air,
land, and maritime domains, including rotary-wing platforms such as the
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-WSI) and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH),
helping enhance operational readiness and combat superiority.In the
new era of asymmetric warfare, advanced variants of
Thales’ 70mm rockets are increasingly well suited
to counter-drone missions, delivering reliable and scalable
effectiveness against evolving aerial threats.
The collaboration reflects both
companies' commitment to developing sovereign defence capabilities in India
through technology transfer, local value creation and skill development. It
also reinforces India's growing role as a trusted partner in the global defence
supply chain, supporting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in
India for the World as well as reinforcing the
broader India-Belgium defence partnership.