French defence players point to 'expanding presence in India'
India, which is a key focus area, and plans are underway to set up defence service centres, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and joint development of new weapons such as anti-tank missiles and air defence systems, besides helicopter engines. French missiles and bombs manufacturer MBDA told ET that a full weapons package is ready for the Rafale fighter jets being procured by the Indian Navy, saying it will «fit perfectly» with India's strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.
MBDA, which is working with Indian companies and has a joint venture with L&T, said two campaigns are underway for jointly developed weapon systems. «Our joint venture with L&T is delivering equipment for the IAF (Indian Air Force), and we are currently competing for two possible campaigns with the VLRSAM on the Indian Navy frigates and with the new ATGM 5 for the light tank for the Indian Army,» said Ludovic Dumont, general delegate, MBDA India.Thales, which has a range of products from radars and avionics to software, is looking to invest in an MRO facility in India as well as a defence service centre.
The company will also be increasing its employee strength in India in the coming months. «We have several expansion initiatives underway,» said Ashish Saraf, country director, India for Thales.
«In the avionics and in-flight entertainment solutions domain, we plan to invest in establishing an MRO set-up in India for our Indian airline customers. We plan to establish a local defence service centre to extend support to Indian armed forces in achieving operational readiness.» The company is also ramping up its engineering centres — it has one in Bengaluru that focuses on defence and aerospace business and another in Noida which is
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