New Delhi: Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, and FN Herstal, a wholly owned subsidiary of FN Browning Group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pursue local manufacturing and industrial cooperation to support India’s defence requirements.
The partnership between FN Herstal and KSSL brings together six decades of Indian advanced engineering and technology-led manufacturing at scale with more than 135 years of global leadership in small arms and integrated weapon systems.
Under the MoU, KSSL and FN Herstal will evaluate the establishment of a dedicated production centre in India, along with a Strategic Alliance / Joint Venture covering a range of FN Herstal defence solutions for the Indian market.
The proposed cooperation will span small arms, integrated weapon systems and counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions.
The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s Make in India policy and reflects the shared intent of KSSL and FN Herstal to build defence capabilities within the country through local manufacturing, technology cooperation and value creation.
The proposed partnership is aimed at strengthening India’s defence industrial base and deepening domestic participation in defence procurement programmes.
For the Indian armed forces, the initiative is expected to support long-term security of supply and greater strategic autonomy in a category of systems central to operational readiness.
Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd., said: “Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) is proud to partner with FN Herstal to bring world-class technology, products, and manufacturing expertise to India.
By combining FN Herstal’s globally respected portfolio and decades of experience with KSSL’s engineering excellence and industrial scale, we are creating a strong platform to deliver advanced defence solutions from India – for India and global markets.
Together, we aim to support India’s defence modernisation through locally manufactured, globally leading products while strengthening indigenous capabilities and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
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The collaboration with FN Herstal is expected to provide a platform combining the Belgian defence company’s portfolio and experience in small arms and integrated weapon systems with KSSL’s engineering capabilities and industrial scale.
Julien Compere, Chief Executive Officer, FN Browning Group, said: “India is a strategic partner for FN Herstal, and we are proud to take this important step with Kalyani Strategic Systems.
This agreement reflects a shared ambition: to combine FN Herstal’s proven defence solutions, trusted by the world’s most demanding armed forces, with KSSL’s outstanding industrial capabilities to help build long-term sovereign capacity for the Indian Armed Forces.
Together, we are committed to supporting the objectives of Make in India through local manufacturing, technology cooperation and the development of advanced defence capabilities, creating lasting value for India, its armed forces and our two companies.”
Under the terms of the MoU, KSSL and FN Herstal will jointly explore and assess the feasibility of potential cooperation projects aimed primarily at meeting the requirements of the Indian market.
The proposed cooperation between FN Herstal and Kalyani Strategic Systems includes evaluating local production capabilities in India and potential technology cooperation, while also examining the feasibility of a Strategic Alliance / Joint Venture.
The initiative is focused on supporting India’s defence requirements through local manufacturing and the development of advanced defence capabilities.
It also aligns with the broader objectives of Make in India, with the proposed cooperation covering small arms, integrated weapon systems and counter-unmanned aerial system solutions.
Through the MoU, FN Herstal and KSSL have established a framework to jointly assess potential projects focused primarily on the Indian market, while exploring opportunities to create domestic manufacturing and technology capabilities.
