French aerospace and defence firm Thales has awarded SFO Technologies a contract to manufacture complex wired structures for the “RBE2” active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar used on the Rafale fighter aircraft, marking a step in the localisation of advanced defence technologies under the Make in India programme.
SFO Technologies has facilities in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru and Mysuru in India, aside from one in the US. Thales said on Monday that the order was the first major contract for high-value, technologically complex wired structures for the Rafale programme to be produced in India.
“These components are designed to withstand demanding environmental conditions and form a critical part of the RBE2 radar, one of the Rafale’s core mission systems,” Thales said. The contract, it said, strengthens Thales’ long-term partnership with SFO Technologies and is expected to enhance India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, particularly in high-precision and systems-intensive domains.
The firm added that the move aligns with its broader strategy to localise advanced radar and avionics production in India for platforms supplied to the Indian armed forces. “The development follows India’s order for 26 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Navy.
As part of the Dassault Aviation Rafale industrial team, Thales is executing a localisation roadmap that involves deeper engagement with Indian companies across the aeronautics and defence ecosystem,” Thales said.
Under this partnership, SFO Technologies will deliver capabilities spanning precision machining, assembly and wiring, electronics, microelectronics and complex system integration. “This partnership reflects our steadfast commitment to the Make in India initiative. Through decades of strong local collaborations, we have consistently invested in building indigenous capabilities and fostering world-class expertise within the Indian ecosystem,” Philippe Knoche, senior executive vice-president for operations and performance at Thales, said.
He added that SFO Technologies has demonstrated innovation and reliability across programmes, and we are pleased to reinforce this partnership in support of India’s self-reliance ambitions.
SFO Technologies said the contract would help deploy new technical expertise within India while integrating local industry into a global combat aircraft supply chain. “We are honoured by Thales’ continued trust in SFO Technologies and proud to contribute to equipment production for the Rafale in India. Quality and punctuality will remain our priorities,” N Jehangir, CMD, SFO Technologies.
Neither of the companies disclosed the value of the contract, the total number of radars to be manufactured locally, or the timeline for the same.
