Cooperation is in our DNA, says Country Head, India, MBDA, Loïc Piedevache

Loïc Piedevache, Country Head, India, MBDA, spoke to FORCE about the plans of the company in strengthening the defence industrial capabilities of India. Piedevache says MBDA has been actively working in partnership with India’s government and industry to build India’s defence industrial capabilities for over 50 years. He said the company is recognised world-wide as an absolute leader in the field of missile technologies.

“We are also recognised as being the only truly integrated multinational company in the defence sector – cooperation is in our DNA in a way that is unique in the defence sector, and particularly in the field of missiles. This makes us uniquely able to partner with India, to work with the DRDO and to support the development of India’s public and private defence-industrial capabilities. We have the technological know-how needed to transform India’s industry, we have the experience of making partnerships work for the long-term, but most importantly we also have the right attitude. We view our relationship as one of true partners, not of buyer and seller,” he says.

According to Piedevache, MBDA has a dedicated and strong industrial cooperation and offset (ICO) team that works solely on partnerships with India. “This MBDA ICO team has delivered extensive and significant transfer of technology to develop India’s defence-industrial capabilities. This includes the extensive manufacturing by Indian industry of 15 major sub-assemblies of MICA missile covering various complex technologies such as mechanical, electrical, electromechanical and pyrotechnic items. Similar transfers to