Thales Avionics SA (France) and Samtel Display Systems Ltd. (India) announced the official incorporation of their new Joint Venture Company, Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd.

“This is a key step for Thales in India and its ambitious development plan, actively encouraged by the Indian Defense Ministry,” said Yves Joannic, Vice President in charge of Thales Avionics Helicopter activities and one of the Directors of the new company.

”This joint venture with a national industry partner makes Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd. a very credible player for future programs.”

Puneet Kaura, Executive Director, Samtel Display Systems said: “Incorporation of Samtel Thales Avionics is an important step in our strategy to cater to the existing and future opportunities in the Indian Defense space. The coming together of Thales’ proven technologies and Samtel’s Indian experience is sure to create positive synergies that will strengthen the industry.”

The JV Company Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd, officially incorporated as of December 28, 2010, is intended to locally develop, customize, manufacture, sell and maintain indigenous Helmet-Mounted Sight and Display Systems and modern Avionics Systems for the Indian and export defense markets.

The core objective of the JV Company is to design systems for the Indian Forces’ helicopters and fighters. However, the activity will quickly expand to include other products. Based in Delhi, it will provide the foundation for all future Thales aerospace development in India. The resulting Indian avionics systems will serve customer requirements as part of overall Thales and Samtel solutions. These systems will also be eligible to help Thales meet offset obligations for its different programmers with the Indian Defense Ministry. The JV Company will ensure local added value support and integrated maintenance services for the systems it produces for the Indian market.