IDD Insight
European major, Thales, has inked a ‘teaming agreement’ with Indian company Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), on the ‘STARStreak’ air defence system.
It has the support of the Governments of India and the United Kingdom.
The STARStreak missile system is in service in the British Army and has been procured by defence forces worldwide. The fastest missile in its category, STARStreak is unique due to its three laser-guided darts, which cannot be jammed by any known countermeasure. It has the capability to defeat any air target – even armoured helicopters – while forming the last line of defence.
Through the agreement, BDL will become a part of the STARStreak global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of Indian manufactured components to existing and future STARStreak Air Defence customers, including the UK Armed Forces.
BDL, a listed company with the Indian Ministry of Defence owning a majority stake, was established in Hyderabad in 1970 as a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment. In 2017, Thales and BDL had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the opportunity for the transfer of technology for STARStreak. The signing of this teaming agreement confirms a positive outcome from that exploration process.
Today’s agreement will also provide the opportunity for BDL to offer a ‘Make in India’ STARStreak solution to the Indian Government, with a capability that will match the immediate air defence needs of the Indian Army and Air force, and with 60% of the system manufactured in India.
It also represents an opportunity for further UK and Indian Industrial co-operation and will cement the ambition for closer collaboration and co-development between our two nations, supporting the ambitions of our governments’ recently signed Defence Technology and Industrial Capability Cooperation MoU.
The abilities of the StarStreak
- Proven capability against air targets
- Immediate launch capability
- No seeker cool down or lock-on required
- High precision laser beam riding guidance which is immune to all known countermeasures
- Low signature rocket motor with short burn time
- Low laser beam energy levels ensuring no warning to target
- Automatic cut down capability for missile in flight (to avoid fratricide)
- Zero maintenance missile – no in service support
- Precision strike/low collateral damage
Read the full details about missile here
High profile signing
The Teaming Agreement was signed by Thales and BDL in the presence of UK and Indian Government representatives in a virtual ceremony on January 13, 2021.
The representatives from the UK who witnessed the signature included Jeremy Quin (Minister for Defence Procurement) and Mark Goldsack (Head of UK Defence & Security Exports). From India, the Director General Army Air Defence and representative from Army Design Bureau, Indian Army, witnessed the ceremony
N P Diwakar, Director (Technical), BDL, Alex Cresswell, CEO Thales in the UK and Emmanuel de Roquefeuil, VP and Country Director, Thales in India, signed the agreement in the presence of Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, BDL.
“Today’s signing marks the start of the next-generation of missile systems for the Indian Army and reinforces our commitment to work with international partners.”
UK Defence Minister Jeremy Quin
Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales in the UK said:”II look forward to Thales and BDL developing a close working relationship.” Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Dynamics Limited,looked at the agreement from his perspective saying “partnership between Thales and BDL in this project with Transfer of Technology for STARStreak will create a new business opportunity for BDL and its supply chain partners in India”.
Thales is leader
Thales is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations –connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers –businesses, organisations and states – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process.
Last year Thales stood at 13th spot in terms of its size among global defence equipment makers. Read the full report here.
With 83,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated sales of €19 billion in 2019. Thales is in India since 1953 and is headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 1,800 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India.
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