Kochi: Indian firm SFO Technologies has partnered with France’s Thales to produce high-value, technically advanced complex wired structures of the RBE2 AESA fire control radars fitted to the Rafale fighter jets.
Thales is the original manufacturer of the RBE2 AESA radar.
While the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates two squadrons of Rafales, the Indian Navy has ordered 26 Rafale Marines for its indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The tie-up follows this order.
This is being seen as a significant step forward in supporting India’s strategic vision for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The latest contract, awarded to SFO Technologies highlights the company’s long-standing expertise and enduring partnership with Thales across multiple major programmes.
This first order marks an important milestone in Thales’ Make in India strategy for the localisation of advanced radar systems, which is expected to boost local manufacturing capabilities for critical Rafale sub-systems supplied to the Indian Armed Forces, the French company said in a statement.
“Thales, as a proud Dassault Aviation Rafale team member, continues to execute its ambitious localisation roadmap, partnering with the aeronautics and defence ecosystem in India. The scope of expertise delivered through this partnership ranges from precision machining and assembly/wiring to electronics, microelectronics, and complex system integration,” the statement says.
“Through decades of strong local collaborations, we have consistently invested in building indigenous capabilities and fostering world-class expertise within the Indian ecosystem. SFO Technologies has demonstrated exceptional innovation and reliability in every project we undertake together. We are delighted to continue reinforcing our partnership, setting new benchmarks for quality and operational excellence in support of India’s self-reliance ambitions,” Philippe Knoche, SEVP, operations and performance, Thales, said.
“We are honoured by Thales’ continued trust in SFO Technologies, and proud to contribute towards deploying new expertise in the Indian ecosystem, while actively taking part in the equipment production for the Rafale India. Quality and punctuality will be our priorities to satisfy our customers, as usual,” said N Jehangir, chairman and managing director, SFO Technologies.
