French aerospace and the tech giant has completed €500 million worth of local sourcing from India.

The firm intends to grow it further to over €1 billion over the next five years. 

Thales’ strategy is to develop its industrial footprint in India.

It is in line with the union government’s policy of “Make in India”.

The firm has formed various co-operative partnerships with public and private sector industries.

They include Samtel, BEL, L&T Technology Services and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd.

Thales also has a joint venture with Reliance Defence Ltd.

Thales has integrated radars and other equipment which will help serve the Rafale commitment.

Thales provides several modern equipment and systems aboard the Rafale.

They are the RBE2 AESA radar, the Spectra electronic warfare system, optronics.

It also includes, the communication navigation and identification system.

Also includes the cockpit display systems, power generation systems, and a logistics support component.

Thales has expanded its presence in India through the development of the Group Engineering Competence Centre (ECC).

It aims at offering high-level expertise in the IoT/connectivity, Big Data, AI and Cybersecurity.

In India, Thales hired over 300 employees in 2020 and plans to hire 300 more in 2021.