Thales-BDL to Supply STARstreak Man Portable Air Defense Missile to India
Thales and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will jointly supply the first batch of Laser Beam Riding Man Portable Air Defence systems (LBRM) following a request from the Indian government.
The High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and their launchers are set for delivery this year, marking the system’s debut in India.
Thales and BDL signed an agreement for the LBRM project in 2021, backed by the Indian and UK governments.
The partnership aims to enhance India’s air defense capabilities with a system known for its high accuracy and resistance to countermeasures.
“We are pleased to take our collaboration with Thales to this next significant step, enhancing our contribution to the defence ecosystem and our ability to support existing and future LBRM Air Defence customers,” BDL Chairman and Managing Director Commodore A Madhavarao (ret.) said.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our Government’s ‘Make in India,’ ‘ease of doing business,’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ programmes, giving a major boost to the local industry through partnerships with global organisations like Thales.”
Joint Production
The missile will be optimized to defeat a range of air threats, including, “fixed-wing fighter ground attack aircraft and late unmasking attack Helicopters, as well as drones,” Thales stated.
The partnership will see up to 60 percent of components being sourced from India and the transfer of technology.
Production will also increase at the Thales Belfast site, where the LBRM is designed.
“This exciting collaboration is just one of the ways that we are growing our defence relationship and partnership with India,” UK Minister of State for Defence Vernon Coaker said.
“While supporting India’s air defence capability and global security, this agreement also demonstrates defence as an engine for growth and delivers on the government’s Plan for Change.”
STARStreak
The versatile missile system features a multiple missile launcher that can fire three missiles in quick succession without reloading.
It can be fired from the shoulder, carried on any light-wheeled vehicle, assembled, and ready to fire in seconds.
Another version comes mounted on a tracked Stormer armored vehicle with eight rounds ready to be fired and an additional 12 in the vehicle.
The system weighs around 14 kilograms (30.8 pounds) and has an effective firing range of up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) with a flight ceiling of 7 kilometers (4.34 miles).
