Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited Collaborate to Enhance India's Air Defense with STARStreak Missiles

In a significant move to bolster India's air defense capabilities, Thales, a global defense and aerospace company, has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, to supply the STARStreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) systems to the Indian Armed Forces. This collaboration aligns with the Indian government's 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, aiming to strengthen indigenous defense manufacturing.

About the STARStreak Missile System

The STARStreak missile is a short-range surface-to-air missile designed to counter a variety of aerial threats. Key features of the system include:

• High Velocity: The missile accelerates to speeds exceeding Mach 3, making it one of the fastest short-range surface-to-air missiles in existence.

• Laser Beam Riding Guidance: Unlike traditional infrared-guided missiles, STARStreak uses laser beam riding technology, which makes it highly resistant to countermeasures and ensures precision targeting.

• Triple Dart Warhead: Upon approaching the target, the missile releases three tungsten alloy darts, each equipped with a delayed-action, impact-activated fuse. This design increases the likelihood of a successful hit and maximizes damage to the target.

• Versatile Launch Platforms: The system can be deployed in various configurations, including:

  • Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS): Lightweight and shoulder-fired, suitable for rapid deployment by individual soldiers.
  • Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML): Mounted on light vehicles, allowing for mobility and quick reaction.
  • Self-Propelled HVM: Integrated into armored vehicles like the Stormer, providing enhanced protection and mobility.

Specifications of the STARStreak Missile:

• Weight: Approximately 14 kilograms.
• Length: 1.397 meters.
• Diameter: 13 centimeters.
• Effective Range: Capable of engaging targets at distances up to 7 kilometers.
• Flight Ceiling: Effective up to altitudes of 7 kilometers.

Partnership Details

The agreement between Thales and BDL was formalized in 2021, with support from both the Indian and UK governments. Under this partnership:

• Local Manufacturing: Up to 60% of the missile components will be sourced from India, promoting local industry participation and expertise.
• Technology Transfer: Thales will transfer critical technologies to BDL, enabling indigenous production and future upgrades of the missile system.
• Global Supply Chain Integration: BDL will become part of the STARStreak global supply chain, providing opportunities to export Indian-manufactured components to existing and future STARStreak users worldwide.

Strategic Implications

The induction of the STARStreak missile system is set to significantly enhance India's short-range air defense capabilities. Its high speed and precision make it effective against a range of aerial threats, including:

• Fixed-Wing Aircraft: Such as fighter jets and ground-attack planes.
• Attack Helicopters: Especially those employing late unmasking tactics.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Including drones that pose emerging threats on the modern battlefield.

Commodore A Madhavarao (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of BDL, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "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."

The Thales-BDL partnership represents a significant step forward in strengthening India's defense capabilities through international collaboration and indigenous manufacturing. The delivery of the STARStreak missile systems is anticipated to provide the Indian Armed Forces with a cutting-edge solution to counter diverse aerial threats effectively.