French defense firm Thales Group is looking to provide the Indian armed forces with new-age cyber security solutions as the country focuses on acquiring futuristic technologies such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and swarm drones.
According to company chairman Patrice Caine, Thales wants to expand its footprint in India, particularly in areas of digital solutions and other emerging technologies that may be crucial for the military.
Although the official refused to share other important details regarding the initiative, he said the multinational firm is seeking to be India’s partner in becoming a key producer of military platforms and solutions.
“We are totally committed to help India expand its defense production under the ‘Make in India Initiative’ by producing equipment either on our own or with our partners,” Caine said, as quoted by The Times of India. “India has a good talent pool to develop cyber-security solutions, AI applications, and big data analytics.
In the next five years, the Asian nation is expected to spend around $300 billion acquiring defense equipment and solutions for the armed forces.
‘Raising Level of Involvement’
In addition to providing cyber security solutions, Thales wants to bring other key pieces of equipment and systems to India in a bid to bolster the firm’s involvement in sharing vital technologies to the country’s defense sector.
Present in India since 1953, Thales has been helping India modernize its military. It contributed to providing key components for the country’s Rafale jets and it also provided avionics and other equipment to the state-run aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
