Massachusetts-based $24 billion defence technology and research firm Raytheon Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Sons wholly-owned subsidiary, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), to co-produce 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 U.S. and coalition forces to achieve their missions,” said Duane Gooden, vice president of Raytheon Land Warfare Systems.
TASL may produce components for 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, chief executive officer and managing director of TASL. He said the company will seek to expand its relationship to other missile systems. In 2016, India was one of three international customers to order Stinger missiles. India will equip its AH-64 Apache helicopters with the missiles.
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Stinger has operational edge against all classes of helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft due to the combination of supersonic speed, agility, highly accurate guidance and control system and lethal warhead.
TASL, focused on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security has become a significant player in the global aerospace market as manufacturing partner for global OEMs, including Boeing, Airbus Group, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Cobham Mission Equipment, RUAG Aviation, as well as India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).