Thales India strategy calls for developing next-generation weapon systems with Indian suppliers and partners, as the French aerospace and defence company seeks to increase its sourcing from the country, CEO Patrice Caine said on October 26, 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Caine said Indian companies could contribute to future radar, missile and electronic warfare systems.
  • Thales has sourced more than €1.2 billion in products and services from India over the past five years.
  • The company also sees potential to work with Indian satellite launch providers.

Thales India strategy for weapons development

Caine said Thales began selecting Indian suppliers several years ago and considers them part of its growth strategy. Products manufactured in India are already in the company’s supply chain and sold in global markets, he said.

The CEO said the company wants to go beyond transferring production to India by also transferring design authority. He identified smart rockets and short-range missiles, including Starstreak and the Lightweight Multirole Missile, as areas of interest.

Caine cited Indian suppliers’ technical capabilities, quality and competitive pricing as reasons to work with them. He did not announce a specific new contract or development timetable.

Space launch partnerships

Thales is also looking to partner with Indian companies that provide launch services. Caine said he expects a potential shortage of satellite launchers in 2029 and sees an opportunity for Indian providers to meet demand.

He described a potential fit between those launch companies and Thales, which is involved in satellites. His comments outlined an opportunity rather than an announced partnership.

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