Thales and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge, have entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement to explore the joint development and manufacture of advanced 70-mm rocket systems in India. The agreement covers both unguided and laser-guided variants of Thales’ combat-proven rocket systems, which are already in service with the Indian Armed Forces.
The agreement was signed during the Belgian state visit to India and marks another step towards expanding cooperation between Indian and European defence companies in the area of advanced weapons manufacturing. Under the proposed collaboration, Thales will contribute its expertise in 70-mm rocket technology, while KSSL will leverage its Indian manufacturing, engineering and testing capabilities to support local production.
The 70-mm rocket family can be integrated with air, land and naval platforms, giving the system a broad range of potential applications. The rockets can also be employed against a variety of battlefield targets, including unmanned aerial systems, adding relevance to India’s growing requirement for cost-effective counter-drone and precision strike capabilities.
A key objective of the alliance is to establish an advanced industrial capability for manufacturing these rocket systems in India. According to the companies, the first fully assembled rocket produced in India is expected by early 2027. The move could gradually increase domestic content in the production process while strengthening India’s ability to manufacture and support advanced ammunition and weapon systems locally.
The partnership also fits into India’s wider Make in India and defence self-reliance drive, which increasingly focuses on bringing private-sector companies into the development and production of sophisticated military equipment. For KSSL, the agreement further expands its portfolio of artillery, ammunition and missile-related capabilities, while for Thales, it provides an opportunity to deepen its industrial presence and technology cooperation with Indian defence manufacturers.
The Thales-KSSL agreement comes at a time when India is seeking greater domestic production of precision weapons and battlefield systems. By combining Thales’ established rocket technology with KSSL’s manufacturing infrastructure, the partnership is expected to support both Indian defence requirements and potentially create opportunities for exports to international markets.
The planned local production of 70-mm rockets therefore represents more than a manufacturing arrangement. It reflects the growing role of international technology partnerships in India’s defence industrialisation strategy and could contribute to the country’s long-term objective of developing a stronger indigenous ecosystem for advanced weapons and ammunition.