Public sector giant Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) and European major Thales have signed a “teaming agreement” to work in partnership on an air defence system with the support of the Governments of India and the UK.
Called the “STARStreak”, the air defence system has a mix of shoulder fired anti-aircraft guns.
The STARStreak Missile System is in service in the British Army and has been procured by defence forces worldwide. The fastest missile in its category, STARStreak has three laser-guided darts, which cannot be jammed by any known countermeasure. It has the capability to defeat any air target – even armed helicopters – and form the last line of defence.
BDL will be a part of the STARStreak global supply chain with an opportunity to export the system to existing and future customers, including the UK Armed Forces.
Earlier, Thales and BDL had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the opportunity for the transfer of technology for STARStreak.
The agreement will allow BDL to offer the STARStreak missile system to the Indian Armed Forces with a minimum of 60 per cent indigenous content as well as design and development of the system, qualifying it under the ‘Make in India’ programme.
