- Transfer of production enables local build of inertial navigation and firing sight technologies
- Agreement deepens Indo-French defence industrial collaboration
- Partnership boosts indigenous capability and life-cycle support for land forces
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, DEC 22
India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna defence public sector undertaking, has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven systems, marking a significant step in strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing under the Make-in-India initiative.
The agreement covers local manufacturing of the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight. The SIGMA 30N system is widely used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, while the CM3-MR is designed for direct-fire applications in artillery guns and anti-drone systems.
The collaboration agreement was signed on Monday, in New Delhi by Tushar Tripathi, Chairman and Managing Director, IOL, and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defence Global Business Unit, Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production).
Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2024, the agreement reinforces the commitment of both partners to manufacture, support and sustain these advanced systems in India. Under the partnership, IOL will undertake manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality assurance and complete life-cycle support, ensuring the systems meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army.
By combining IOL’s domestic industrial capabilities with Safran Electronics & Defense’s expertise in inertial navigation and fire-control technologies, the collaboration strengthens India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and enhances the operational readiness and effectiveness of land-based weapon systems.
