Rafael is to form a joint company with India's Bharat Electronics to manufacture several of the Israeli company's air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon systems.
Negotiations about the establishment of the venture have reached "advanced stages", said Rafael's vice-president marketing Lova Drori in the lead-up to the 11-15 February Aero India 2009 show near Bangalore. The development is intended to enable Rafael to increase its sales in the Indian market, and to meet technology transfer and offset requirements.
Drori says the full line of aerial weapon systems manufactured by Rafael will be offered for local assembly and production by the joint company, and believes there is "huge" potential demand for the equipment.
Source: Flight International