By IANS
Paris : European aerospace major Thales and India's Samtel Display Systems announced here Tuesday they were ramping up their cooperation in the domain of avionics equipment for the Indian and export markets and that this could extend to a joint venture.
"Leveraging on the track record and domain expertise of both companies, Thales and Samtel will work towards the development, production and sale of new cockpit display systems destined for the Indian and export markets," a Thales statement issued at the ongoing Paris Air Show said.
"This cooperation generates the opportunity for the creation of a joint company in India," it added.
Thales has strong expertise in this domain, with over 1,500 helmet-mounted sight displays, thousands of multi-function displays and head-up displays in service worldwide.
New Delhi-based Samtel is a key player internationally within the sector of avionics display systems.
"By combining their expertise within a joint venture company, the two companies will join their engineering and manufacturing strengths and create new market opportunities," the statement said.
Commenting on the development, Samtel chairman and managing director Satish Kaura said: "This joint venture will complement Samtel's well established domain expertise in the Indian defence sector with the technological expertise in equipment and systems from Thales.
"The joint venture will assist the growth of our business in this area and will enable us to increase market penetration," he added.
Thales said the JV, which "aims to establish a real centre of excellence in avionics" would increase its footprint in the Indian market.
"Strategic business alliances, such as the one we are creating with Samtel, are essential to increase Thales' footprint in the Indian marketplace. This win-win partnership will leverage the resources and expertise of both companies," said Emmanuel Grave, senior vice president and general manager of Thales' aerospace activities.
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Its leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers.
The company has been operating in India since 1953 and has stepped up its presence in recent years.
With sales of 200 million euros annually, the group is a long-term partner of the Indian armed forces: its equipment and systems have been selected for various types of platforms in service with the army, navy and air force such as air defence radars, avionics for military and civil aircraft, optronics and sonars.
Thales also won a major contract in 2005 with the Indian Navy for the supply and technology transfer of six Scorpene submarines. It is equally present in the civil domain and is partner and supplier to many Indian companies within the fields of aerospace and security.
Thales aims to reinforce partnerships with Indian industries through transfers of technology and joint ventures; and to work with local industry to meet India's growing defence needs, through programmes such as the Mirage-2000 upgrade programme for the Indian Air Force, electronic warfare projects and tactical radio networks for the Indian Army.
Samtel is one of India's the largest integrated manufacturer of displays for entertainment, professional and avionics applications. An undisputed leader in the Indian market for TV displays, it employs 6,000 people in nine world-class factories and has a turnover of approximately $300 million.