India's Bharat Forge unit, France's Thales sign rocket systems alliance

BENGALURU: India’s Bharat Forge said on Thursday its defence unit signed an agreement with France’s Thales to establish advanced industrial capability to build 70-mm rocket systems in the country.

India is the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. In recent years, it has been pushing for domestic manufacturing of defence equipment either on its own or in collaboration with foreign partners.

The agreement, signed during the Belgian prime minister’s visit to India, aims to strengthen defence cooperation between the countries, the firms said.

Thales’ 70-mm rocket systems can be fired from air, ground or naval applications platforms and could be used to counter drones, according to the company’s website. They are manufactured by its Belgian unit.

The companies said the Indian army already uses these rocket systems.

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Thales will contribute its expertise, while India’s Kalyani Strategic Systems will use its local manufacturing and testing capabilities, to support the production of 70-mm rocket systems. The companies saidthe first fully assembled rocket produced in India is expected in early 2027.

“By combining our combat-proven 70-mm 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,” Thales India Vice-PresidentAnkur Kanaglekarsaid.