By: Suman Sharma

European defence manufacturers are all set to woo the Indian market with their cutting-edge technology on display at the 15^th edition of the biennial Indian airshow – Aero India 2025 at Bengaluru.

Saab from Sweden Brings Gripen E

Swedish aerospace and land systems giant – the Saab Group is presenting a wide portfolio of products and systems for the air, land and sea domains at Aero India 2025 at Bengaluru from 10-14 February 2025. Taking center stage will be the Full Scale Replica (FSR) of Gripen E and the Gripen E Cockpit Simulator. On display will also be Carl-Gustaf® M4, to be made in India at the manufacturing facility Saab is establishing in Jhajhar, Haryana.

“We look forward to wide ranging discussions with the Indian Air Force on our Gripen E offer. We will also be engaging with Indian industry for Make in India as well as for discussions on expanding our sourcing from Indian companies which have emerged as suppliers to the world’s foremost aerospace companies,” said Mats Palmberg, Chairman and Managing Director, Saab India.

Adding further Palmberg said, “Aero India 2025 comes at a crucial juncture of global developments, leading to a greater focus on defence capabilities as well as on developing self-reliance along with the need for robust and modern technology. We are fully committed to supporting the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar approach to national defence capability. To that end, Saab is setting up a manufacturing facility for Carl-Gustaf M4 in India, further strengthening production in the country. The facility will support the production of Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian Armed Forces as well as components for users of the system around the world. Saab will also be partnering with Indian sub-suppliers and the products manufactured in the facility will fully meet the requirements of Make in India.”

Saab will be showcasing the latest technologies which are changing defence and security planning, deployment and future force readiness. Teams from India, Sweden, South Africa and other countries would be sharing Saab’s wide range of products, solutions, plans and thoughts about how Saab can provide the armed forces of India with products and collaborate with the Indian defence industry.

Products that Saab will be exhibiting at the airshow are:

Gripen E – The world’s most modern fighter, Gripen E, combines exceptional operational performance, a highly advanced networked warfare capability at a whole new level, superior sensor fusion, unique BVR features and an adaptability for new threats that is a decade ahead of any other fighter, making it a true game changer. The Saab offer for the Indian Air Force (IAF) combines cost efficiency with true and extensive transfer of technology.

Carl-Gustaf M4 – is a man-portable multi-role weapon system that provides high tactical flexibility through its wide range of ammunition types. It is extremely light-weight (less than seven kgs), and has improved ergonomics for the gunner which reduces action time and aids accuracy. The new M4 meets the needs of modern conflict environments while offering compatibility with future innovations. The Carl-Gustaf system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976. Through its wide variety of ammunition, Carl-Gustaf has established itself as the main shoulder launched weapon in the Indian armed forces

AT4CS AST – is a lightweight, man-portable, unguided and fully disposable weapon system. AT4 is optimised for ease of operation and offers maximum versatility and ease of use amongst the family of AT4 weapons. Saab’s AT4 weapon has been selected by the Indian armed forces and will be used by the Indian Army and the IAF.

The Next-Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) system – is the shoulder-launched, Overfly Top Attack, anti-tank missile system that makes it the true tank killer for the infantry which operate dismounted in all environments including built up areas.

Ground Combat Indoor Gunnery Trainer – for ground combat weapon systems, to shape the troops with the best and realistic training which the Indoor Trainer provides by uniting an exact replica of weapons with a close-to-real-life virtual environment.

The AUV62 System – is the latest generation of Saab modular AUV systems. The AUV62-MR for mine reconnaissance has a high-resolution side-looking sonar. It can autonomously search for and identify sea mines with a large area search capability. High-resolution images give excellent situational awareness and data.

Integrated Defence Aids Suite (IDAS) – is a fully integrated end-to-end solution that provides protection for airborne platforms. IDAS includes radar warning, missile approach warning and laser warning sensors. Its advanced sensors coupled with its analysis tool is able to create advance threat libraries to classify the threat. Key benefits include instantaneous response to multiple threats providing an advantage for situational awareness. In India IDAS is so far integrated on the ALH Dhruv helicopter.

Land Electronic Defence System (LEDS) – is an integrated, modular, active protection system combining a laser warning system and effector control, providing armoured combat vehicles with vital situational awareness of laser threats with manual or fully automatic responses against threats.

 r-TWR Deployable – is a deployable, digital tower that provides high availability, mission-to-mission modularity and flexibility. It is mission ready within an hour and can be operated remotely from a secure location at a base or connected to a centralised facility hundreds of miles away, keeping military personnel safe. The r-TWR Deployable can be integrated with various Saab capabilities depending on customer needs. This includes TactiCall Voice Communication System for safe and cyber secure communications, Giraffe 1X lightweight multi-mission surveillance radar with Drone Tracker capability, Sirius Compact passive surveillance for tactical applications and Barracuda camouflage for a reduced multispectral signature.

Safran To Showcase its cutting-edge Innovations at Aero India 2025

French Safran, a global leader in aerospace, defence, and space technology, is set to make a significant impact at Aero India 2025, by exhibiting its advanced solutions and innovations at its booth located in Hall B, showcasing its commitment to driving technological excellence and fostering partnerships in India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.

With a rich legacy of engineering excellence, Safran operates across 30 countries and is a leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing state-of-the-art aircraft engines, equipment, and defence solutions. Safran powers both military and civil aviation with its technologies, including LEAP engines developed by CFM International in a (50/50) joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace.

In India, Safran has established itself as a key partner in supporting national security and driving civil aviation growth. The group has a robust footprint with 17 facilities with over 2400 employees, through significant partnerships with Indian defence and aerospace organisations.

Safran has been instrumental in developing and supplying critical technologies for military platforms and has contributed to India’s civil aviation sector by collaborating with Indian industries. The aerospace leader has been the pioneer for engine MRO in India both for helicopter engines and commercial LEAP engines.

Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Safran is a staunch advocate of indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer. With significant investments in India including the establishment of cutting-edge manufacturing and maintenance facilities, Safran is committed to nurturing local talent and advancing India’s aerospace ecosystem.

At Aero India 2025, Safran will reinforce its vision for India’s self-reliance in aerospace and defence by showcasing its comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions. These include advanced jet and turboshaft engine technologies, avionics and Automated Test Equipment, and landing gear systems among other products.

MBDA’s Pitch for Make in India

As part of its strong commitment towards ‘Make in India’, for over five decades, European MBDA Missile Systems Ltd, has been delivering battle-winning capabilities to the Indian armed forces, closely collaborating with a wide Indian industrial ecosystem, including the joint venture with Indian private defence firm – Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Indian SMEs and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) such as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

MBDA has a crucial advantage in developing and producing state-of-the-art products by encompassing the best skills and technologies from across borders. Their track record of partnership also makes MBDA uniquely suited as a partner for India that can enhance Indian self-reliance and sovereignty – as can be seen from the successful Make in India of over 50,000 MBDA-designed missiles in partnership with Indian industry till date.

Several emblematic complex weapon systems will be showcased during Aero India 2025, beginning with the air domain at the MBDA stand, where visitors will be able to see the different weapon systems that arm India’s Dassault Rafale combat aircraft, especially the Meteor missile system. Widely recognised as a game changer for air combat, this beyond visual range air-to-air missile is powered by a unique rocket-ramjet motor giving it far more engine power, for much longer than any other missile. In other words, its no-escape zone is many times greater than any other air-to-air missile.

Also, in the air domain attendees will be able to view the ASRAAM air combat missile that is delivering India’s Next Generation Close Combat Missile capability. The fastest close combat missile in the world, IAF Jaguar and Tejas fighter jets are the first to gain this vital system for ensuring India’s dominance in air combat.

On the MBDA stand’s maritime domain, a focus will be on Sea Ceptor naval air defence system that is being offered to the Indian Navy for its VL SRSAM requirement through a joint venture. Visitors to Aero India will be able to see the futuristic technologies featured within Sea Ceptor and how they would provide Indian sailors with a Make in India solution that provides the very best defence from air attack, providing robust protection of host platform and escorted shipping.

L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd, MBDA’s joint venture with Larsen & Toubro, will also be exhibiting at Aero India 2025, showcasing the work it performs in Coimbatore, delivering Make in India projects in support of Atmanirbhar Bharat for the Indian Air Force. Besides VL SRSAM, other results of the strong local co-operation ability of MBDA in India include the ATGM5 anti-tank missile, proposed as an Indian designed, developed and manufactured next generation battlefield missile to meet the needs of Indian operators.

Israel Aerospace Industries to Showcase World Class Missile Systems, Drones

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace and defence leader will showcase its latest advancements in defence technology at Aero India, demonstrating its commitment to India as a strategic partner and a key market in the defence sector. The company’s presence at the exhibition highlights its nearly 40 years of collaboration with India and its dedication to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.

IAI’s participation in Aero India 2025 underscores its long-standing relationship with India, reinforcing its deep-rooted collaboration with the country’s defence sector and the Indian armed forces. Over the past year, IAI has made several additional investments in the Indian market, including with its subsidiary AeroSpace Services India (ASI); its partnership with IIT Delhi, demonstrating its commitment to the next generation in India; the launch of its NeuSPHERE Innovation Acceleration Program, enabling collaboration with Indian deep-tech startups and most recently; and the opening of its new HELA Systems facility in Hyderabad, enhancing localised Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities for advanced radar systems and reducing turnaround times for India’s defence forces. These reflect IAI’s ongoing commitment to India’s self-reliance goals under the ‘Make in India’ vision.

At Aero India 2025, IAI will exhibit a diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art defence solutions tailored to meet the evolving challenges of modern warfare. Among the key systems on display are:

• OptSAR 550 – A dual-payload electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar (EO/SAR) tactical observation system designed for real-time intelligence and reconnaissance missions
• MCS – A cost-effective digital communication satellite offering robust and secure connectivity for military and government operations
• Heron TP – A multi-role, medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS) providing superior intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities
• B767 FRA – A strategic flight refueler aircraft capable of extending the operational range of combat aircraft and enhancing air superiority
• APUS – A long-endurance quadcopter designed for persistent surveillance, border security, and tactical reconnaissance missions
• MRSAM– An integrated air and missile defense system providing advanced protection against aerial threats, including missiles, aircraft, and UAVs
• Oron Aircraft (ELI-3150) – A multi-mission airborne reconnaissance and surveillance system designed for persistent intelligence gathering and situational awareness
• Eitam Aircraft (ELW-2085) – A conformal airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system equipped with state-of-the-art radar and battle management capabilities

Boaz Levy, President & CEO of IAI says, “India is a long-term strategic partner for Israel Aerospace Industries, and our presence at Aero India 2025 emphasises our dedication to strengthen this relationship. IAI is proud to partner with India’s defence forces, offering state-of-the-art solutions tailored to meet their operational needs. We are committed to further collaboration with the Indian defence industry and government agencies to further enhance its technological security capabilities”, adding, “We look forward to meeting with key stakeholders in India’s defence ecosystem, exploring new partnerships, and presenting our latest technological innovations at the exhibition. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide reliable, cutting-edge defence solutions that address the complex challenges of modern warfare.”

Thales Alenia Space and NIBE Sign Satellite Supply Contract for India’s first private Earth Observation constellation

Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with NIBE Space (a subsidiary of NIBE Limited) concerning the supply of a high-resolution optical satellite, marking the first step in NIBE’s Earth Observation constellation project. This initial contract aims to establish the first operational Earth observation’s capabilities for NIBE in India by 2025.

This achievement reinforces the partnership initiated in 2024 between Thales Alenia Space and NIBE, for the deployment of India’s first private Earth Observation constellation.

“I am extremely pleased that Thales Alenia Space will contribute to developing sovereign Earth Observation capabilities in India,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, adding, “Supporting the deployment of India’s first private Earth observation constellation means a lot to our company as this is Thales Alenia Space’s first cooperation on an Indian space program.”