EADS Defence & Security (DS) and Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Mumbai, will join forces in the fields of defence technology. During a signing ceremony in Mumbai, EADS DS and L&T announced the planned formation of a joint venture company for defence electronics in India, based in Talegaon near Pune.
The new company will aim at design, development, manufacturing and related services in the fields of electronic warfare, radar, military avionics and mobile systems (such as modular bridges) for military applications. The formation of the joint venture is subject to approval by the Indian Government.
A. M. Naik, Chairman and Managing Director of L&T said: “For over two decades, L&T has been a major supplier of critical systems to India’s defence forces. These include a wide range of products like weapon launchers, naval systems, radar systems, etc. We welcome the formation of this joint venture that will create opportunities for development of state-of-the-art defence electronic products and systems for the Indian defence forces and for the rest of the world.”
The joint venture company will develop and manufacture indigenious solutions for military requirements of Indian customers as well as the world market. Thus, the Indian JV company will provide the armed forces with locally produced high tech equipment and assured life-time support.
Since 2006, EADS DS has been working in a successful partnership with the Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), a reputed DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) laboratory based in Bangalore. L&T has played a leading role in India’s indigenization effort for Defence equipment and systems. With an impressive track record that includes design, development and manufacture of integrated multi-disciplinary defence systems, L&T has matured into a trusted partner for the Indian Armed forces and DRDO.
