FZ275 LGR Semi Active Laser Guided 70mm Rocket | Image: Thales
Thales and India’s government-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) have agreed to set up manufacturing facilities in India for the the production of ‘precision-strike 70mm laser guided rockets (FZ275 LGR)’.
BDL will be able to offer a ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided solution for India’s WSI (Weapons System Integrated) Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters and Prachand Light Combat Helicopters, according to a Thales statement.
The statement quoted Thales’ VP and Country Director in India, Ashish Saraf as saying, “In support of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, this collaboration seeks to further develop in-country capability of producing advanced weapon systems such as 70mm laser guided rockets to cater to export markets besides assisting the Indian Armed Forces in their mission to effectively safeguard the nation.”
The Chairman and Managing Director of BDL, Cmde Siddharth Mishra said, “Leveraging our long experience in building precision guided ammunition and our diverse industrial expertise, we look forward to reaching new heights of excellence with this partnership and contributing to the prestigious ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
Thales and BDL have previous partnered on the design and development of the STARStreak Air Defence system as well, to offer a substantially indigenised version to the Indian armed forces.
Through the new agreement, ‘BDL will become a part of the FZ275 LGR global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of Indian manufactured components to existing and future 70mm laser guided rockets customers’, says the statement.
Thales is the ‘original equipment manufacturer of the FZ275 LGR’ and calls it the’ lightest, shortest and most versatile 70mm laser guided rocket on the market’ that can be ‘deployed in day and night operations at ranges between 1.5m up to 7km (on helicopter)’.
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