India Optel, Safran Sign Deal For Defence Systems Manufacturing

24 Dec 2025 CW Team

India Optel Limited, 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 under the Make in India programme. The agreement enables local manufacturing of the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, both widely used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles, radars and anti-drone platforms.

The agreement was signed on 22 December 2025 in New Delhi by India Optel Limited Chairman and Managing Director Tushar Tripathi and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defence Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar. The partnership builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2024 and reinforces the commitment of both companies to manufacture and support advanced defence systems within India.

Under the collaboration, India Optel Limited will undertake manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and full life-cycle support for the systems, ensuring they meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army. The partnership combines India Optel’s industrial capabilities with Safran’s expertise in inertial navigation and fire-control technologies, strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem while enhancing the operational readiness and performance of land-based defence platforms.

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