In a major boost to the government’s Make in India initiative, India Optel Limited (IOL) has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven defence systems for local manufacturing.
The agreement marks a key step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Under the collaboration, IOL will manufacture the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System, used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.
The agreement was signed by Chairman and Managing Director of IOL, Tushar Tripathi, and Head of the Defence Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense, Alexandre Ziegler, in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar in New Delhi on December 22.
Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two companies in January 2024, the latest agreement formalises the commitment to manufacture and support these advanced systems in India. As part of the partnership, IOL will undertake manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and complete life-cycle support.
