Corporate Development     

Published: May 15, 2025
Updated: May 15, 2025

Larsen & Toubro

Betting big on India’s defence needs

Larsen & Toubro, an engineering conglomerate with high capabilities across technology, construction, manu facturing and many more, is also playing a critical-pivotal role in India’s defence and aerospace sectors. In the last couple of months, the company has signed three important MoUs which are summarised here.

MoU with WB Group

Polish defence titan WB Group has further strengthened its foothold in India’s defence sector. WB India has se cured a major collaboration with L&T by signing a MoU. This partnership marks a crucial step in advancing collaborative autonomy solutions for unmanned aerial platforms, reinforcing India’s push for cut ting-edge defence technology and indig enous capability development.

NEXT-GEN DRONES

The agreement highlights the growing interest in next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technologies for India’s armed forces. The collaboration will focus on collabo rative autonomy, an advanced approach that enables multiple drones to operate in coordination with minimal human inter vention. This technology is expected to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and operational effectiveness for the three ser vices, particularly in contested environments where networked drone capabilities could offer strategic advantages. The company’s FlyEye reconnaissance drones have already been demonstrated in India, with Indian Army procurement efforts pointing to growing demand for advanced UAV platforms.

MoU with Rafael

L&T and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd (Rafael) have signed an MoU aimed at offering the TROPHY Active Protection System (APS) indigenously. TROPHY APS is the only proven and operational APS system in the world. TROPHY is a critical battlefield technology featuring Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems capabilities and defences that enable protection of an entire platform and soldiers. Through this cooperation, TROPHY APS shall be of fered as a unique solution that can be integrated on India’s defence platforms.

ISRAEL LINK

Yoav Tourgeman, CEO of Rafael, emphasised the signifi cance of this collaboration, saying, “The partnership between Rafael and L&T for TROPHY APS is a major milestone for both companies. It will not only enhance the operational ca pabilities of the Indian armed forces but also our commitment to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and the nation’s operational readiness. Together, Rafael and L&T will contribute to the strengthening of India’s defence capabili ties through world-class technologies.”

MoU with Astra Microwave Products

Astra Microwave Products, a lead ing design and development company in advanced microwave components and systems, and L&T have signed a MoU to work together on radar tech nology and systems, with a focus on enhancing India’s in digenous capabilities.

NEXT-GEN RADAR

The MoU is set to focus on joint co-operation in the development, manufacturing and integration of radar systems for both defence and industrial applications. Both companies share the vision of developing next generation radar systems that can provide real-time, ac curate, situational awareness. An improvement in the integration of radar systems using various platforms will ensure interoperability and improved operational effec tiveness.

Radar systems play a crucial role in modern defence strategies, from surveillance and air defence to tactical com munication and missile guidance. With L&T’s robust infra structure and technological prowess, and Astra Microwave’s cutting-edge microwave components, both com panies aim to deliver world-class radar systems to meet the ever-evolving requirements of the In dian armed forces.