Thales: A key partner in India’s defence modernisation journey
As India progresses towards its goal of becoming Aatmanirbhar, constructive measures are being taken across sectors including defence. These measures along with efforts of the industry will pave the way for long-term success of India’s indigenous defence sector.
For close to seven decades, Thales has been partnering the Indian growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in defence, aerospace, transport and digital identity and security markets. Over the years, it has developed a mature industrial footprint in the country’s defence sector via a diverse range of high-tech products, services and collaborations. The organisation has been proudly supporting the Indian armed services’ modernisation efforts, aiding them in preparing for, achieving, and maintaining tactical superiority over any form of risk, all with the purpose to build a future that everyone can put their trust in.
Comprehensive services for the Indian Armed Forces
Thales offers a broad spectrum of solutions to help the armed forces gain and maintain operational superiority. Thales has more than 50 offset partners and more than 75 supply chain partners and is cultivating local industrial and supplier ties to serve India’s defence and aerospace needs. The organisation has formed various cooperative partnerships with public and private sector industries, like with Bharat Electronics Ltd dedicated to radars and Reliance Aerostructures Ltd for electronic warfare and radar, among others. Thales has developed extensive and broad skill sets in India through these collaborations and is contributing to sustainable manufacturing in India for India as well as for the world.
The Rafale aircraft have significantly augmented the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Thales provides several state-of-the-art equipment and systems aboard the Rafale. It contributes to the Rafale’s game-changing capabilities through a variety of solutions such as the AESA RBE2 radar, the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite for 360° detection and action modes, advanced man-machine interface with displays in the cockpit, missile electronics, the front-sector optronic with infrared search and track systems FSOIRST, the CNI suite (communication, navigation, and identification), as well as power generation systems and a logistics support component.
The RBE2 AESA radar is the key to Rafale’s performance. Among other benefits, the RBE2 radar’s range has been increased by more than 50% compared with fire control radars from previous generations, ensuring compatibility with weapons such as the Meteor (if we don’t want to say Meteor, we can say “very longrange BVR air to air missiles). Likewise, the SPECTRA electronic warfare system is fully integrated in Rafale and boosts survivability from air-to-air and air-to-ground threats from radars, missiles and lasers.
A committed partner to India’s growth story
Thales remains a close partner to India. Thales and its joint ventures in India now employ more than 1,800 people, and the organisation hopes to expand its presence in the nation by continuing to hire and nurture more talent in high technology roles. The organisation has also been fostering a culture of innovation in the country through its Engineering Competence Centres (ECC) in the National Capital Region and Bengaluru.
Thales is looking forward to participating at DefExpo 2022, which will provide a forum for stakeholders to establish partnerships and increase the country’s technological level. At DefExpo 2022, Thales will showcase its diverse portfolio of capabilities covering Aero, Defence, Naval and Land Defence as well as and Space that can effectively support the Indian armed forces’ modernisation efforts. The different exhibits will demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to ‘Make in India for India and for the world’ in tandem with the Government’s aim of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’
Going ahead too, Thales will continue to develop its footprint in India by by strengthening its local teams, partnerships and innovation.