Defence PSU IOL, Safran sign pact to locally produce advanced navigation, fire-control systems

Defence PSU India Optel Limited (IOL) on Monday signed a collaboration agreement with France-based Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven systems.

The agreement covers the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, according to an official release.

The SIGMA 30N system is used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, while the CM3-MR sight is designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.

The pact was signed by IOL chairman and managing director Tushar Tripathi and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defence Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar in New Delhi.

The collaboration builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in January 2024 and reaffirms their commitment to manufacture and support the advanced systems domestically.

Under the partnership, India Optel Limited will undertake manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and full life-cycle support of the systems to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army.

The government said the tie-up leverages India Optel Limited’s industrial capabilities in the country along with Safran’s expertise in high-end inertial navigation and fire-control technologies. The agreement is expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and enhance the readiness and performance of the Army’s land systems.

Last month, Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said that the French aerospace company has agreed to a full technology transfer to India for the country’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth aircraft programme.

Speaking to The Economic Times, Andriès said Safran and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plan to jointly develop a 120–140 kilonewton engine in India.

The government is expected to soon announce a joint venture between Safran and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, an arm of DRDO, for the project.