Thales, a prominent French defence contractor, is making significant moves to penetrate India's lucrative defence market.
In line with India's focus on domestic defence manufacturing, the company is actively pursuing partnerships with key Indian players such as L&T Defence, Bharat Forge, and Munitions India Limited (MIL) to localize the production of advanced weapon systems.
India's foreign policy prioritizes collaborations between foreign defence companies and domestic firms. Ashish Saraf, Thales' Vice President and Country Director for India, recognizes this, stating, "We understand the requirements of 'Make in India' and are committed to strengthening our industrial footprint within the country."
He emphasized Thales' existing partnership with Indian defence company MKU for the production of infrared cameras as evidence of their alignment with this policy.
Thales boasts a successful history of supplying the Indian armed forces with various short-range missiles, both guided and unguided. According to Saraf, their current objective centers on establishing the domestic production of these systems.
"Laser-guided missiles, as demonstrated in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, offer a substantial technological advantage," Saraf explained. "We are eager to empower India with this cutting-edge capability."
Thales' strategic push into India's defence sector reflects the potential for significant growth for the company while contributing to India's ambition of bolstering its indigenous defence capabilities.
The potential collaboration with well-established Indian defence manufacturers signals Thales' commitment to adhering to India's 'Make in India' initiative, positioning the company advantageously in this dynamic market.
