By A Correspondent

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,” the companies said in a statement on Thursday (September 3, 2026).

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. At the same time, KSSL will use its local manufacturing and testing facilities to support production and integration of components from Thales’ qualified supply chain, ensuring international quality standards.

“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” Thales India vice president Ankur Kanaglekar said.

“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,” Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited’s CEO Neelesh Tungar said.

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,” the companies said

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