Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited join hands for ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided rocket solution
Bengaluru, February 14, 2023: Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for setting up manufacturing facilities in India for precision-strike 70mm laser guided rockets (FZ275 LGR).
Through the agreement, BDL will become a part of the FZ275 LGR global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of Indian manufactured components to existing and future 70mm laser guided rockets customers.
This agreement will also provide the opportunity for BDL to offer a ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided rocket solution for existing helicopter fleet of Advanced Light Helicopters (WSI) and Light Combat Helicopters of the Indian Government.
BDL was established in Hyderabad in 1970 as a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment. The company is uniquely positioned, with dedicated facilities and knowledge in the field of precision guided ammunition to address such an industrial and technology transfer.
Thales is the original equipment manufacturer of FZ275 LGR, the lightest, shortest and most versatile 70mm laser guided rocket on the market with high level of accuracy. It can be deployed in day and night operations at ranges between 1.5m up to 7km (on helicopter).
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technologies – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organizations and governments – in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.
Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2021, the Group generated sales of €16.2 billion.
Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 1,800 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, Transport, Aerospace and Digital Identity and Security markets. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India - one in Delhi NCR focused on digital identity and security business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, was established in Hyderabad in 1970 as a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment.
