has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems in India for the country’s armed forces, the companies announced on Friday.
Under the agreement, L&T will serve as the prime bidder in the Ministry of Defence’s upcoming procurement programme for 87 MALE RPAS units, with GA-ASI acting as the technology partner. The collaboration will enable production of GA-ASI’s MQ-series drone platforms entirely in India, incorporating technology transfers to meet indigenous content requirements under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
GA-ASI brings decades of experience in unmanned aerial systems, with its Predator line having logged over 9 million flight hours globally in surveillance and strike missions. L&T contributes its engineering and precision manufacturing capabilities in defence and aerospace sectors.
The partnership represents a significant expansion of Indo-US defence cooperation and aims to strengthen India’s self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem. L&T, a $30 billion Indian multinational, has maintained leadership positions in its core businesses for eight decades.
S N Subrahmanyan, L&T’s Chairman and Managing Director, said the partnership would enhance India’s defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies. Dr Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, described the collaboration as supporting India’s vision for indigenous manufacturing in the aerospace sector.
were trading at ₹4,045 up by ₹57.50 or 1.44 per cent on the today at 12.12 pm. The shares hit their 52-week high last trading day at ₹4,062.60.