Thales and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited sign Strategic Alliance Agreement for 70-mm Rocket Systems

• Building on a decade-long relationship and aligned with India's Make in India vision, Thales and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to establish an advanced industrial capability for 70-mm rocket systems in India.
• This strategic partnership combines Thales' combat-proven rocket technologies with KSSL's advanced manufacturing, integration and testing capabilities to support both Indian and global requirements.
• The alliance provides a framework for technology transfer, local production and distribution for both unguided and laser-guided 70-mm rocket systems and associated equipment.
• The collaboration aims to develop a robust local supply chain and position India as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for advanced rocket systems.
• The first fully assembled rocket produced in India is targeted for early 2027.

New Delhi, India: During the Belgian state visit to India, Thales and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the wholly-owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to explore collaboration on both the unguided and laser-guided variants of Thales’ 70-mm rocket systems, which are already in use by the Indian Armed Forces.

The partnership marks a significant step in strengthening India-Belgium defence cooperation while advancing India's ambition to become a globally competitive defence manufacturing hub. By combining Thales' advanced rocket technologies and global market reach with KSSL's established expertise in defence manufacturing, system integration and industrialisation, the companies will create an indigenous capability to address domestic requirements and support international opportunities. As part of this collaboration, Thales will leverage its long-standing partnership with India and contribute its global expertise in 2.75-inch / 70-mm rockets and launchers developed in Belgium, while KSSL will utilise its local manufacturing and testing facilities to support production and integration of components from Thales’ qualified supply chain, ensuring international quality standards.

Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President – India, Thales: “Thales has partnered with India for decades and this collaboration with KSSL is a testament to our deep and long-standing engagement with the local defence ecosystem. By combining our combat-proven 70mm rocket expertise from Belgium with KSSL’s engineering and manufacturing strengths, we are co-creating capabilities that will enhance India’s operational readiness and advance its vision of self-reliance in critical defence technologies.”

Neelesh Tungar, CEO, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd.: "By combining Thales' proven technologies with Kalyani Strategic Systems' advanced industrial ecosystem including our upcoming Energetics facility in Andhra Pradesh, this strategic partnership lays the foundation for indigenous production of next-generation rocket systems. Beyond strengthening the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces, it advances the vision of 'Make in India for the World,' positioning India as a globally competitive hub for advanced defence technologies."

Trusted by 70 armed forces across 55 countries, Thales’ 70-mm solutions support multi-role mission flexibility and multi-platform integration across air, land, and maritime domains, including rotary-wing platforms such as the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-WSI) and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), helping enhance operational readiness and combat superiority.In the new era of asymmetric warfare, advanced variants of Thales’ 70mm rockets are increasingly well suited to counter-drone missions, delivering reliable and scalable effectiveness against evolving aerial threats.

The collaboration reflects both companies' commitment to developing sovereign defence capabilities in India through technology transfer, local value creation and skill development. It also reinforces India's growing role as a trusted partner in the global defence supply chain, supporting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India for the World as well as reinforcing the broader India-Belgium defence partnership.

About Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited

Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, drives the defence business of the Kalyani Group, one of the world's foremost advanced engineering and technology-led manufacturing enterprises. With more than six decades of expertise in design, engineering, metallurgy and advanced manufacturing, KSSL delivers sovereign defence capability across the land, marine and unmanned domains, spanning artillery systems, armoured and protected vehicles, small arms, ammunition, marine systems, and unmanned platforms. Alongside battle-ready systems, KSSL enables partner nations to build their own defence industrial base through technology partnership, local industrialisation and assured through-life support, backed by proven production at scale and security of supply. Trusted by Indian and global armed forces and by governments seeking resilient, self-reliant capability, KSSL is a global defence partner of choice.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies. Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion. Recent images of Thales and its Defense, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital activities can be found on the Thales Media Library. For any specific requests, please contact the Media Relations team.

About Thales in India

Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2400 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India’s growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India - one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. The Group has also established an MRO facility in Gurugram to provide comprehensive avionics maintenance and repair services to Indian airlines.

About Thales in Belgium

Thales Belgium is a 100% subsidiary of the company Thales Group. It combines a strong local industrial footprint with leading expertise in defence, cybersecurity, aerospace and advanced technologies. It is a European leader in 70mm rocket systems, offering standard and laser-guided solutions and developing cost-effective Counter-UAS capabilities, designed to defeat drones and drone swarms. With 800 employees, Thales Belgium also leverages strong partnerships with industry, universities and research centres to drive innovation in areas such as AI, quantum technologies, collaborative combat and Counter-UAS.

Press contacts

Thales, Media Relations

pressroom@thalesgroup.com

Thales, Communications in India

Pawandeep Kaur +91 99900 98828 ​ pawandeep.kaur@thalesgroup.com

Kalyani Group | KSSL

Dimple Raisurana Kapur +91 9371507196 ​ Dimple.RaisuranaKapur@Kalyani.in