BELFAST \u2014 India has struck an agreement with Belgium to locally produce Thales-made 70mm rockets, as part of a wide-ranging series of new industrial pacts signed off by the two nations.<\/p>\n
The collection of 10 agreements, which also include ammunition production and naval mine-countermeasure systems teaming, were inked during a working visit to the Asia-Pacific nation by Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, Minister of Defence Theo Francken and 15 Belgian defense companies.<\/p>\n
Based on a collaboration between Thales Belgium and Kalyani Strategic Systems, the first 70mm rocket to be produced \u201centirely\u201d in India,\u00a0 is expected in \u201cearly 2027,\u201d said the Belgian defense ministry in a press notice. \u201cThe cooperation works both ways: India develops its own production capacity, while Thales gains an additional source of supply for international orders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ministry added that the move will also strengthen European security of rocket supply.<\/p>\n
Other key industrial ties include an ammunition production project valued at \u20ac50 million ($58 million) between Li\u00e8ge-based machinery manufacturer New Lachauss\u00e9e and Tembo Classic Engineering in India. New Lachauss\u00e9e will supply a full production line for two ammunition calibers, alongside tooling for two additional calibers, per the Belgian press notice. Overall, production capacity of approximately 100 million rounds per year is planned, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and\u00a02029.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, a partnership between Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro will see the European firm supply autonomous toolboxes used to detect, identify and neutralize naval mines to the Indian government. Exail is also under contract to jointly provide the Belgian and Dutch navies with 12 Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) is in discussions with Kirloskar Oil Engines that could lead to ABC offering its expertise in support of Kirloskar building the first fully Indian-produced 6MV marine diesel engine.<\/p>\n
Regarding aviation links, Flemish firm Sol.One and DGVK Enterprises are working together in an effort to introduce an armed quadplane drone designed to attack supply chains known as Saboteur \u2014 as well as low-cost drone interceptors dubbed Buzzkill and Hitchhiker \u2014 to the Indian market. The Belgian press notice made clear that the Indian armed forces have requested information about the various aircraft and want to test them. \u201cIf those tests prove successful, this could quickly lead to a large-scale order,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
In addition to these individual partnerships, a cooperation agreement between the Belgian Security & Defence Industry (BSDI) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) was also signed. \u201cThis will make it easier\u00a0for our companies to participate in co-development under the Make in India initiative,\u201d declared Brussels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scale is enormous. India is modernising one of the largest armed forces in the world,\u201d Francken said. \u201cFor\u00a0companies whose technology gains access to these programmes, this can quickly translate into\u00a0major orders and major contracts. The agreement between BSDI and SIDM opens that door.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond industrial matters, Brussels and New Delhi also signed a Letter of Intent relating to \u201cstructural cooperation\u201d between the two sides. This includes training, exchanges between officers, research and development, joint\u00a0exercises and maritime security. <\/p>\n