New Delhi: India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven systems, marking a significant boost to India’s Make-in-India and defence indigenisation initiatives.
Under the agreement, the two advanced systems to be manufactured in India include the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight. The SIGMA 30N system is widely used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, while the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight is designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.
The collaboration agreement was signed by Chairman and Managing Director of IOL, Tushar Tripathi, and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defence Global Business Unit, Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar in New Delhi.
The agreement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between IOL and Safran Electronics & Defense in January 2024 and formalises the commitment of both organisations to manufacture and support these advanced defence systems within the country. As part of the partnership, IOL will undertake manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control, and full life-cycle support, ensuring that the systems meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army.
By leveraging IOL’s established industrial capabilities in India and Safran Electronics & Defense’s expertise in inertial navigation and fire-control technologies, the collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. The partnership is also aimed at enhancing the operational readiness and performance of the Indian Army’s land-based weapon systems, while reducing dependence on imports.
The agreement represents another step forward in India’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and aligns with the government’s broader objective of building a robust, indigenous defence industrial base.
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