MBDA at Defexpo 2022
Supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat
MBDA has two exciting focuses during Defexpo 2022: showcasing the highest performing missile technologies that are in service or available to the Indian Armed Forces, and secondly supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat with our Indian industrial footprint and partnerships as part of MBDA’s longstanding partnership strategy with India.
A superb example of this first pillar are the Indian Air Force’s new Rafale fighter aircraft that are flying fully equipped with truly game changing set of weapons from MBDA - the revolutionary Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, MICA air combat missile and SCALP deep strike missile. These are the highest performing missiles of their type available anywhere in the world, providing the Indian Air Force – and perhaps the Indian Navy in the future – the ability to stealthily strike deep at enemy targets and to dominate totally in air combat.
MBDA has been actively working in partnership with India’s government and industry to build India’s defence industrial capabilities for over 50 years. Over this time, many tens of thousands of MBDA designed missiles have been built in India and MBDA is constantly striving to deepen these partnerships to deliver on existing and new programmes.
Today, MBDA is working closely across the Indian defence ecosystem to deliver these two strategic pillars – deliver on Atmanirbhar Bharat while providing world-best technologies to equip the serving personnel of the Indian Armed Forces. This includes close co-operation with DPSUs such as Bharat Dynamics Limited, with whom an agreement was recently signed to conduct the final assembly, integration and testing (FAIT) of ASRAAM missiles in India for the Indian Air Force. The IAF’s Jaguar aircraft are the first Indian platform to receive this cutting-edge air-combat missile, and Tejas LCA Mk1A will now also be armed with this potent air dominance weapon, alongside potentially other Indian platforms in the future.
The close co-operation between MBDA and Indian industry also includes close co-operation with private sector Indian firms, a notable example being MBDA’s joint venture with Larsen & Toubro, L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd. Together MBDA and L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd will present a comprehensive portfolio of many high performing missile technologies that are in service or on offer to the Indian Armed Forces at Defexpo 2022.
L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd already has a fully working site in Coimbatore manufacturing missile and missile launcher components and is competing to provide local Indian solutions for tenders such as it offer of Sea Ceptor, the latest generation of naval air defence system, for the Indian Navy’s Short-Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) requirement. Sea Ceptor is a highly advanced naval weapon system that is able to provide the very highest level of protection from air and missile attack for Indian sailors. LTMMSL is also proposing solutions to the Indian Armed Forces for anti-tank and anti-ship weapon systems.
Industrial co-operation between MBDA and Indian industry exists not only at the level of prime contractors, but right across India’s vibrant defence ecosystem and including many Indian enterprises of all sizes including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This includes Indian expertise being supported on a wide range of complex missile technologies such as hi-specification mechanical, electrical, electromechanical and pyrotechnic items. Extensive examples of such work are being conducted today by Indian firms across a range of missile products being delivered to the Indian Armed Forces, including MICA and ASRAAM.
It is through this long-term- strategy of deeper co-operation with industrial partners and the delivery of further battle-winning technologies to support the Indian Armed Forces’ missions that MBDA looks forward to supporting India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.