Thales, KSSL seal strategic pact for indigenous 70mm rocket production
70 mm rocket systems. (Image courtesy: Thales)
New Delhi: India and Belgium have stepped up defence-industrial cooperation, with Thales and Kalyani Strategic System Limited (KSSL), the fully owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge, signing an argument to establish an industrial capability for manufacturing 70mm rocket system in India. The agreement was signed during the Belgian prime minister, Bart De Wever, visit to India, which focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductor and technology.
The strategic alliance agreement between Thales and KSSL will cover both unguided and laser-guided variants Thales’ 70mm rockets, which are already in use by the Indian Armed Forces. The partnership is aimed at combining Thales’ combat-proven rocket technology with KSSL’s manufacturing, system integration and testing capabilities in India.
The agreement is part of a broader push by India and Belgium to deepen defence cooperation through co-development and co-production. During De Wever’s visit, the two sides discussed expanding military exchanges, training and defence-industrial collaboration, while Indian and Belgian companies also explored partnerships in areas including mine-countermeasure systems, drones, advanced sensors, weapons and counter-drone technologies.
Under the Thales-KSSL agreement, Thales will provide its expertise in 2.75-inch/70mm rocket systems and launchers developed in Belgium, while KSSL will use its Indian manufacturing and testing infrastructure to support local production and integration. The arrangement also provides a framework for technology transfer, local value creation and the development of a domestic supply chain.
The first fully assembled 70mm rocket produced in India is targeted for early 2027. The companies also intend to develop India as a manufacturing and export hub for the rocket systems, allowing the partnership to cater to both Indian requirements and international markets.
Thales said its 70mm rocket systems are used by 70 armed forces across 55 countries and can be integrated across air, land and maritime platforms. In India, the systems can support rotary-wing platforms including the advanced light helicopter – weapons system integrated (ALH-WSI) and light combat helicopter (LCH), while newer variants are also being positioned for counter-drone missions.
The agreement builds on a decade-long Thales-India relationship and aligns with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India for the World” initiatives. For KSSL, the partnership is also expected to strengthen its capabilities in advanced defence manufacturing while creating opportunities to integrate Indian suppliers into a global rocket-system supply chain.
The agreement comes as India and Belgium look to give a stronger industrial base to their defence partnership, with both governments encouraging companies of the two countries to combine Belgian technological expertise with India’s manufacturing capabilities.
