Raytheon Company signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to engage in co-production of Stinger air defence missile components.

“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 US and coalition forces to achieve their missions,” said Duane Gooden, Vice President, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems.

As part of the new pact, TASL 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 defence and aerospace sector. We look forward to becoming a key contributor to the Stinger missile for India,” said Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL.

“We will seek to expand our 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,” added Singh. In 2016, India was one of three international customers to order Stinger missiles. India will equip its AH-64 Apache attack helicopters soon to enter service with the Indian Air Force.”