Tata, Thales to offer optronics solutions for combat aircraft

Top private power producer Tata Power today said it has tied up with European major Thales to offer optronics solutions for India's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) and other air-borne platforms.

Tata Power's Strategic Electronics Division signed an MoU with Thales to offer optronics solutions to India's defence sector, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The two firms agreed to cooperate to offer optronics solutions for the MRCA programme as well as for existing or future airborne platforms, Tata Power said.

Imagery is assuming greater importance in decision-making processes on land, sea or air, both during peace-time and war. The optronics technology to be offered include those for reconnaissance, target identification, detection and weapon- guiding capabilities of an airborne platform.

The MoU would allow both the companies to transfer technologies in order to implement local content and meet the offset requirements of the Indian defence sector.

"Large defence programme like MRCA with offsets have created opportunities for Indian companies with defence systems experience. Tata Power SED will leverage this partnership with Thales to serve our customers better," Tata Power SED CEO Rahul Chaudhry said.

The Thales offer includes the Damocles pod that enables use of guided weapons and the Areo's air reconnaissance system. The Thales solutions are fully compatible with many platforms including French and Russian aircraft.