Thales and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) have agreed to establish industrial capability in India for the production of 70mm rocket systems, including both unguided and laser-guided variants.
The Strategic Alliance Agreement was announced on 3 September during a Belgian state visit to India and provides a framework covering technology transfer, local manufacturing and distribution.
The partners are targeting production of the first fully assembled Indian-made rocket in early 2027.
The programme reflects a wider shift in defence procurement towards domestic production and resilient supply chains, particularly for consumable weapons where governments are seeking both greater production capacity and reduced reliance on overseas supply.
Local rocket manufacturing
Thales will contribute expertise derived from its Belgian-developed 2.75-inch/70mm rocket and launcher portfolio, while KSSL will use its manufacturing, system integration and testing facilities in India.
The agreement covers both unguided and laser-guided rockets as well as associated equipment. KSSL is a wholly owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge.
Thales said components will be integrated from its qualified supply chain while production is developed in India to international standards. The companies intend the resulting capability to serve Indian requirements as well as potential export customers.
Thales’ 70mm weapons are designed for integration across multiple platform types and the company says systems from the family are already used by the Indian Armed Forces.
Platforms identified by Thales include India’s Advanced Light Helicopter weaponised variant and Light Combat Helicopter.
The company is also developing applications for 70mm rockets in counter-UAS missions as defence organisations examine lower-cost effectors for use against drones.
Supply chains shape procurement
For defence buyers, the agreement illustrates how weapons procurement is increasingly being accompanied by requirements for technology transfer, local assembly and sovereign production capability.
India has placed particular emphasis on domestic defence manufacturing through its Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat policies, while European manufacturers are simultaneously looking to increase production capacity and diversify their supply chains.
Establishing production in India could therefore give Thales and KSSL access to both domestic demand and future international opportunities.
The arrangement also potentially broadens the industrial base available for a weapon category that is attracting renewed attention because of requirements ranging from precision engagement to counter-UAS operations.
