Navratna defence public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sagem (Safran), France, to explore cooperation in the production and supply of navigational sensors, inertial navigational system and optronic masts to the Indian Navy for its various platforms under consideration for future induction.

The MoU was signed by P.C. Jain, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Bruno Even, CEO Sagem, France. S.K. Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director, BEL; Joel Berkoukchi COO, Avionics Division of Sagem, and Chandrasekhar S., General Manager (Naval Systems), BEL, were also present during the MoU signing at Defexpo 2014.

The Indian Navy has ambitious plans of inducting ships and submarines into the service in the near future. Accordingly, the ship and submarine construction programme has been approved by the Government. Naval platforms have large-scale requirement of sensors such as SIGMA–40, ring laser gyro, optronic mast, attack periscope and radar mast for submarines.

Sagem has the technology and expertise in the manufacture of these sensors. BEL is the leader in the manufacture and supply of defence electronics for the Indian armed forces. BEL and Sagem coming together to co-operate in the field of navigational sensors for ships and submarines will help in meeting the needs of the Indian Navy. The MoU will help in understanding and absorbing the critical technology adopted in these sensors for use in future induction platforms of the Navy.

The MoU will facilitate BEL and Sagem to work together for 24 months and if considered necessary, the same can be extended to a further period agreeable to both the companies.