Featured Image Credits: Economic Times
Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) has rolled out its first batch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) for the Indian Army and the Air Force under an MSME joint venture, reports Economic Times.
KRAS is a joint venture (JV) between India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The roll-out event on Tuesday (16 March) marked KRAS’ commitment to deliver more than 1,000 MRSAM missile kits for the Indian Army and Air Force over the coming years.
These missile sections will now be forwarded to India’s state-run defence Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for further integration.
It is also another important milestone for the Modi government’s commitment to the “Make in India” concept, striving towards “Atmanirbharta” goal of the country.
Baba Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director, Kalyani Group, said, “This is the beginning of a new era filled with self-confidence, a marked step-change in technological expertise and a collective demonstration of capability to be the global manufacturing hub for defence products. We are confident to complete the order far ahead of the stipulated time, and support the armed forces with the best in class missile kits. Apart from the missile kits, we will extend our support in maintenance and repair operations (MRO) as in-service Air Defence Missile System for the armed forces.”
Speaking on the occasion, Brig. Gen. Pinhas Yungman, Head of Air and Missile Defense Systems division of Rafael Advanced Defense System said, “We have been a reliable partner to the Indian armed forces for almost three decades, and these missile kits are a testimony of our commitment to ‘Make in India’ cause. We are confident KRAS will not only build products for the Indian armed forces but will also trigger and help achieve Indian government’s vision of exports from India.”
KRAS is a major private sector MSME with advanced manufacturing capabilities. It will also play a vital role into maintenance and repair operations (MRO) of a major in-service Air Defence Missile System for the Indian Air Force.
This JV has been hailed as deep cooperation between Israel and India in the strategic defence sector space.
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