The agreement builds on the companies’ decade-long relationship and is aligned with India’s Make in India vision.
Under the agreement, the companies will explore collaboration on both unguided and laser-guided variants of Thales’ 70-mm rocket systems, which are already in use by the Indian Armed Forces. The alliance provides a framework for technology transfer, local production and distribution of the rocket systems and associated equipment.
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Thales will contribute its expertise in 2.75-inch/70-mm rockets and launchers developed in Belgium, while KSSL will use its local manufacturing and testing facilities to support production and integration of components from Thales’ qualified supply chain.
The companies will combine Thales’ combat-proven rocket technologies and global market reach with KSSL’s manufacturing, integration and testing capabilities to support Indian and global requirements.
The collaboration also aims to develop a local supply chain and position India as a manufacturing and export hub for advanced rocket systems. The first fully assembled rocket produced in India is targeted for early 2027.
Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President – India, Thales, said, “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.
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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, said, “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.”
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70-mm Rocket Systems
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.
Shares of Bharat Forge Ltd ended at ₹1,987.00, down by ₹37.05, or 1.83%, on the BSE.
