Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited Partner to Supply Advanced Air Defence Systems to India

Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited Partner to Supply Advanced Air Defence Systems to India

(IN BRIEF) Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) have secured a major deal to provide India with Laser Beam Riding MANPAD (LBRM) Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems. This first supply of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and launchers, set to be delivered within the year, represents the initial step in a long-term collaboration aimed at enhancing India’s air defence capabilities. The partnership supports India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, with up to 60% of the LBRM systems being produced locally. The agreement further strengthens UK-India defence ties and aligns with the nation’s goal of self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 11-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) have reached a significant milestone in their collaboration, as they announce the first supply of Laser Beam Riding MANPAD (LBRM) Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) missiles and launchers to the Indian Ministry of Defence. This achievement follows the 2021 Partnership Agreement between Thales and BDL, supported by both the Indian and UK governments. The new agreement will enhance India’s air defence capabilities, equipping the nation with a modern, highly accurate, and countermeasure-resistant defence technology.

Manufactured up to 60% in India, the LBRM systems are designed as short-range, man-portable air-defence solutions. They provide protection against various aerial threats, including fixed-wing fighter aircraft, late unmasking attack helicopters, and drones. The agreement reflects the continued growth of India’s air defence infrastructure and aligns with the government’s focus on increasing indigenous production capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The first supply of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and launchers is scheduled for delivery within this year, marking India’s first acquisition of this advanced VSHORAD technology. This development lays the groundwork for a long-term collaboration and manufacturing partnership between Thales and BDL, with the joint goal of supporting the current and future needs of the Indian Ministry of Defence.

Thales and BDL are committed to the transfer of battle-proven technology to India, reinforcing the nation’s air defence forces. This contract also signals the continued success of the United Kingdom’s Defence Partnership-India, a tailored programme designed to facilitate smoother defence trade and government-to-government contracting, further strengthening bilateral defence ties. The agreement also highlights Thales’ ongoing 70+ year relationship with India.

Additionally, the production partnership will boost manufacturing capabilities at the Thales Belfast site, where LBRM is designed. Lord Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Defence, remarked, “This collaboration is an important step in enhancing our defence relationship with India, supporting global security and India’s air defence needs while contributing to economic growth.”

Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO of Thales International, expressed excitement about the partnership’s potential, saying, “This is an exciting chapter in our relationship with BDL and a significant contribution to India’s air defence capabilities. It strengthens the UK-India strategic partnership and advances India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

Cmde A Madhavarao (retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of BDL, emphasized the alignment of the project with India’s governmental programmes, including ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ while boosting local industry through collaboration with global organizations like Thales. Phil Siveter, CEO of Thales in the UK, added, “This contract represents a major leap in our strategic partnership with India, providing critical, proven capabilities to enhance India’s air defence.”

About LBRM

High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) are a truly versatile, complex weapon system. Designed for very short-range air defence, they are the fastest missiles in their class at Mach >3.0. They are best suited to address late unmasking threats such as fixed and rotary wing targets, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and pop-up attack helicopters.

Thales is a world leader in the provision of Air Defence solutions and in particular of complex weapon systems and has been a trusted partner of forces in this field for more than 60 years.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital.

It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

About BDL

BDL, right from its inception in the year 1970, has been in the forefront of Defence Technology to manufacture state of the art, cost-effective Missile systems, underwater weapons and allied defence equipment to the Indian Armed Forces. With the domain expertise, BDL participates in the indigenously developed missile programs by DRDO, ToT from Foreign OEMs or co-developed using in house R&D and manufactures the world class products for the domestic and international market.

About Thales in India

Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India’s growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital markets. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India – one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs.

Media Contacts:

Bharat Dynamics Ltd
Homnidhi Sharma
+91 94939 84976
bdlbd-pr@bdl-india.in

Thales, Group Media Relations
Defence
Camille Heck
+33 6 73 78 33 63
camille.heck@thalesgroup.com

Thales, Communications in India
Pawandeep Kaur
+91 9990098828
pawandeep.kaur@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales