Interview | Country Head MBDA & MBDA India General Delegate, Ludovic Dumont

From MBDA’s perspective, how is Aero India 2023 different from its previous editions in terms of your exhibits and participation?

MBDA will have a strong presence at Aero India 2023, through both our main stand and the stand of L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd, our joint venture with Larsen and Toubro. As ever our focus is on delivering the best missile system capabilities to the Indian armed forces, and considering Aero India is principally an air show to the Indian Air Force in particular. Befitting our long-term industrial partnership strategy, Aero India will also be an important occasion for collaborating with our Indian industrial partners to deliver Make in India programmes in support of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

What is the update on Rafale’s weapons package?

India’s Dassault Rafale combat aircraft provide the Indian Air Force not just with a fast and agile modern fighter but one that comes armed with a highly potent set of weapons from MBDA that are unrivalled by any of India’s neighbours. The most famous of these weapons is the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, which is widely recognised as a game changer for air combat. The Meteor is powered by a unique rocket-ramjet motor that gives Meteor far more engine power, for much l