The aerospace leader Thales will establish an avionics maintenance hub in Delhi

14 Feb, 2024

The aerospace leader Thales will establish an avionics maintenance hub in Delhi

The proposed avionics maintenance hub by Thales in Delhi represents a strategic move to enhance service efficiency for airline customers, marking a significant expansion within the thriving Indian aerospace market. This initiative underscores Thales' commitment to bringing its renowned high-tech capabilities to India, as part of the growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris. Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Director of Thales India, emphasized the company's dedication to supporting India's modernization and indigenization efforts in the aerospace and defense sector.

During recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Jaipur, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolster bilateral strategic cooperation across various sectors, including defense, security, trade, and clean energy. Macron's presence as the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations further highlights the strength of the India-France bilateral relationship.

Thales' decision to establish the avionics maintenance hub aligns with India's vision of bolstering domestic defense manufacturing, a sentiment echoed by Saraf. The company aims to leverage its expertise and collaborate closely with local industries to support initiatives like Make-in-India.

Saraf also emphasized Thales' involvement in the Rafale project, showcasing the company's contributions to advanced equipment and systems aboard the Rafale aircraft. With India's procurement of Rafale jets and submarines from France, Thales anticipates new opportunities for defense collaboration.

Furthermore, Thales sees tremendous potential in India for research and development, backed by its rich pool of engineering talent. The company is expanding its engineering centers in Bengaluru and Noida to capitalize on these opportunities.

Overall, Thales remains committed to strengthening the India-France partnership, particularly in areas such as defense, security, space, and cyberspace. The establishment of the avionics maintenance hub and the expansion of engineering facilities underscore Thales' long-term commitment to India's aerospace and defense sectors.