In recognition of the initiatives of the Government of India to target Indigenization of the Defense Sector under the “Make in India” initiative, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and MBDA have set up a joint venture (JV) to develop and supply missiles and missile systems to meet the growing potential requirements of the Indian armed forces.
The Joint Venture Company, named “L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd”, will operate from a dedicated work center, which will include pyrotechnical integration and final checkout facilities. It is expected to be incorporated in the first half of 2017 after necessary approvals.
L&T will own 51% of the Company and MBDA, 49%, fully complying with India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy norms. The JV will be registered in India and conduct business as an Indian Company, subject to Indian laws. The JV would focus on business opportunities in the Missiles and Missile Systems domain and target prospects under the Buy (Indian – IDDM), Buy (Indian) and Buy & Make (Indian) categories of Defense Procurement.
The decision to formalize this partnership, a key milestone for both L&T and MBDA in their long term relationship, was made after extensive evaluation and identifying the strong synergy between the two organizations. L&T and MBDA have collaborated and partnered on co-development and production of major subsystems involving complex technologies and sophisticated weapon systems such as MICA missile launchers and airframe segments including control actuation units for Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) orders.
L&T and MBDA are convinced that it is the right time for the relationship to mature into a JV given the conductive policy environment in the defense sector in India. Both JV partners have a proven track record as trusted suppliers to the Indian Armed Forces - providing critical weapon systems and defense solutions across land, sea and air domains. To begin with, the JV Company will look to develop and supply fifth generation Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM5s), missiles for Coastal Batteries and high speed target drones.
L&T has been delivering a range of launch systems, fire control systems and airframes / sub-systems for various indigenous weapon (Missile / Rockets / Torpedo) programs as development partners and production agency to DRDO and DPSUs. By combining our manufacturing and system integration capabilities and track record with MBDA’s technological excellence, we now look forward to delivering complete Missile Systems, hitherto imported, to meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces as required under DPP 2016.
Mr. A M Naik, Group Executive Chairman of L&T commented: “We have been trusted partners to DRDO and the Indian Navy, delivering complete weapon systems and platforms, command control and sensor systems, designed, developed and manufactured in India for over three decades. Over this period we have worked closely with the Ministry of Defense and its different arms in jointly developing and delivering cutting-edge defense solutions”.
Mr. Antoine Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer, MBDA, said: “Our business strategy in India has always focused on forming partnerships at the deepest level, not just with the armed forces but also with the Indian industry. This has seen us involved in the transfer of technology and the production of products and components with the state-owned DPSUs (Defense Public Sector Undertakings) and the establishment of very close partnerships with the Indian private sector including large companies and SMEs. The setting up of this JV is a natural progression of our partnership strategy. With L&T, I am convinced that we have found the ideal Indian partner”.
With a significant presence in five European countries and USA, in 2015 MBDA achieved a turnover of 2.9 billion euros with an order book of 15.1 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.
Operating in over 30 countries worldwide, Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services with USD 16 billion in revenue.
