India Optel, Safran sign pact to manufacture advanced navigation and fire-control systems in India

New Delhi, December 22. In a significant boost to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, defence PSU India Optel Limited (IOL) has entered into a collaboration agreement with France-based Safran Electronics & Defence to enable local production of two high-precision, combat-proven defence systems.

The agreement, signed in New Delhi on December 22, provides for the transfer of production of the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight. The SIGMA 30N system is used across artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, while the CM3-MR sight is designed for artillery platforms and anti-drone systems.

The pact was inked by IOL Chairman and Managing Director Tushar Tripathi and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of Safran Electronics & Defence’s Defence Global Business Unit, in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar.

Officials said the agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies in January 2024 and formalises their commitment to manufacture and support the advanced systems within India. Under the partnership, IOL, a Mini Navratna defence public sector undertaking, will handle manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality assurance and full life-cycle support of the systems to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army.

By combining IOL’s domestic industrial capabilities with Safran’s expertise in inertial navigation and fire-control technologies, the collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and enhance the operational readiness and performance of its land forces.