In a significant boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, India Optel Limited (IOL) has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven systems. The agreement marks a major milestone under the Make-in-India initiative envisioned by Narendra Modi and reinforces India’s push towards self-reliance in advanced defence technologies.
Key Defence Systems to Be Manufactured in India
Under the agreement, two critical systems will be locally manufactured in India:
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SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System
A combat-proven system used in artillery guns, air defence platforms, missiles, and radar systems, providing high-accuracy navigation and targeting capability. -
CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight
An advanced sighting system designed for artillery guns and anti-drone applications, enhancing precision, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
These systems are currently deployed by armed forces worldwide and are regarded as benchmarks in inertial navigation and fire-control technologies.
Agreement Signing and Leadership Presence
The collaboration agreement was formally signed on December 22, 2025, in New Delhi by Shri Tushar Tripathi, Chairman & Managing Director of IOL, and Mr. Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defence Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense.
The signing took place in the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), underscoring the Government of India’s strong support for strategic defence partnerships and technology transfer.
Strengthening Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Building upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2024, the agreement confirms the long-term commitment of both partners to manufacture, support, and sustain these advanced systems in India.
Under the collaboration:
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IOL will handle manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control, and full life-cycle support
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Systems will be produced to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army
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Indigenous manufacturing will significantly reduce import dependence and lifecycle costs
By combining IOL’s industrial infrastructure and workforce in India with Safran’s global expertise in inertial navigation and fire-control systems, the partnership directly strengthens India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Enhancing Operational Readiness of Indian Land Forces
The locally manufactured systems are expected to enhance the readiness, accuracy, and survivability of India’s land-based weapon platforms. Indigenous production will also ensure timely availability, faster upgrades, and assured long-term support, which are critical for modern battlefield requirements.
Conclusion
The IOL–Safran collaboration represents a decisive step toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, bringing cutting-edge, combat-proven technologies under Indian manufacturing control. By enabling the local production of advanced inertial navigation and firing systems, the partnership not only strengthens the Indian Army’s combat capability but also reinforces India’s position as a growing global hub for high-end defence manufacturing.
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Source: PIB
