European group works on long-term market strategy.

European missile systems group, MBDA, has set up a joint venture company in India with L&T Heavy Engineering, the partnership being announced earlier this year. The JV is called L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd.

It is also working on its long-term strategy to increase the range of products such as missiles to be manufactured in India, given both the scope of domestic military market as well as exports.

“MBDA’s plans are to meet India’s desire for India Designed Developed and Manufacture and to support this with extensive transfer of technologies,” said Mati Hindrekus, marketing and communication manager at MBDA.

One of India’s immediate requirements includes an armoured vehicle mounted ATGM weapon, and MBDA with its Indian partner Larson & Tubro are keen to offer a fifth generation anti-tank weapons through the framework of the joint venture.

“The JV is in talks with India on such supplies,” he said at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition held in Singapore 16-18 May.

The long-term plans include manufacturing facilities in India, the first priority of which would be to meet India’s requirements and then to explore export opportunities.

Hindrekus said these plans are in the work through the 49:51 joint venture with L&T which was announced in February this year.

The joint venture has identified three priorities – fifth generation Anti-Tank Guided Miss

iles (ATGM5s), missiles for Coastal Batteries and high speed target drones.

“The MBDA and L&T marketing teams are discussing some of these potential projects with the Indian military,” he said.

MBDA is also marketing Mistral MANPADS, its “Very Short Range Air Defence System” which if selected would be manufactured under license in India by one of India’s highly specialized defence equipment manufacturer, said Hindrekus. fii-news.com