Article Posted on : - Feb 20, 2017

MUMBAI (PTI): US-based Raytheon Company on Friday said it has signed an agreement with Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) to engage in co-production of Stinger air defense missile components.

Raytheon Company is a technology and innovation firm specialising in defence, civil government and cyber security solutions headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

"Our agreement with Tata Advanced Systems deepens our industrial partnership in India with a global technology leader and will expand the range of options and capabilities for the US and coalition forces to achieve their missions," Raytheon Land Warfare Systems Vice President Duane Gooden said in a release issued in Mumbai.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, TASL (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons) could produce components of the Stinger missile in India.

Stinger has both surface-to-air and air-to-air applications against a variety of airborne targets.

"This collaboration with Raytheon is in keeping with other partnerships that TASL has with global leaders in the defense and aerospace sector. We look forward to becoming a key contributor to the Stinger missile for India," TASL chief executive officer and managing director Sukaran Singh said.

He said TASL will seek to expand its relationship to other missile systems and technologies, and contribute to the progressive implementation of the 'Make in India' initiative to address multiple objectives of the government, such as value addition, employment, and control over key technologies.

In 2016, India was one of three international customers to order Stinger missiles.

India will equip its AH-64 Apache helicopters soon to enter service with the Indian Air Force.