MBDA is a pioneer in the field of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and can be considered a global leader in these technologies. Several of MBDA’s existing systems incorporate elements of autonomy or AI as an aid to human decision making or to enhance system performance. MBDA’s excellence in this field was recognised in 2019 with the prestigious ‘Ingénieur Général Chanson national engineering prize’ for work with AI.

What are your on-going programmes with the Indian armed forces?

We have numerous on-going programmes across all branches of the Indian armed forces. One highlight is that MBDA is the main weapons provider for the Rafale aircraft, where our role is to provide the platform with game-changing combat performance. Unquestionably the most famous is the Meteor, the ramjet powered and network-enabled beyond visual range air-to-air missile that is widely recognised as a game changer for air combat. No less game-changing for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is the SCALP stealthy air-launched cruise missile that also forms part of the Rafale weapons package. This potent weapon will give the IAF an unrivalled and flexible tool to conduct deep strike missions at long ranges against even the most protected of hostile targets. MICA meanwhile provides both the Rafale and the newly upgraded IAF Mirage 2000 aircraft with a uniquely flexible approach to air combat.

What future programmes are you looking at in the short term and the medium term, across army, air force and navy?

We are currently targeting several new procurement programmes for the Indian armed forces, and aim to do so through L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd, our joint venture with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the delivery of ‘Make in India’ projects. There are currently three main projects we are pursuing through the joint venture (JV). These are our offer of ATGM5, the world’s only true 5th Generation Anti-Tank Missile, as an Indian Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) product under the ‘Make in India’ programme. ATGM5 offers many unique capabilities, including being truly network enabled, a multi-purpose warhead with selectable effects, and high-performance seeker technologies. The JV is also offering Exocet MM40 Block 3 for the Indian Navy’s Medium Range Anti-Ship Missile (MRAShM) requirement, the latest version of the venerable Exocet missile already in service with the Indian armed forces, which has improved electronics and an extended range. In addition the JV’s is competing for the Indian Navy’s Short-Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) requirement where in its Request for Proposal (RFP) response it has just offered Sea Ceptor, a high-performance and modern air defence system that offers excellent protection against all air threats and provides easy platform integration and many space, weight and safety benefits compared with older systems. In addition, where we already have one system in service on one Indian platform, we look to expand our presence onto multiple Indian platforms so that the Indian armed forces can take advantage of the operational, support and training benefits of utilising common weapon stockpiles across multiple platforms.