Indian weapons

EADS has announced plans to set up a joint venture company with Indian engineering group Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to develop military systems for the Indian and international markets.

The collaboration will build on the experience of both companies in the region to develop a range of high-end military products including electronic warfare, radar, military avionics and mobile systems such as modular bridges.

The joint venture will be based in Talegaon, near Pune, and comes as India increases arms spending to update its military capability.

Dr Stefan Zoller, chief executive of EADS Defence & Security, said: ‘EADS would like to move beyond just providing high technology sales to India by creating an Indian industrial base with the development of a long-term partnership including the transfer of technology wherever necessary.

‘The co-operation with L&T is an important milestone on the way to increase our industrial footprint in India.

‘The Indian defence and security market is growing fast and we want to grow with it.’