French aerospace and defence major Thales has awarded Indian firm SFO Technologies a contract to manufacture complex wired structures for the RBE2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar used on the Rafale fighter aircraft, marking a significant step in the localisation of advanced defence technologies under the Indian government’s Make in India programme.
Thales said on Monday that this was the first major contract involving the production in India of high-value, technologically complex wired structures for the Rafale programme. The components form a critical part of the RBE2 radar, one of the Rafale fighter’s core mission systems, and are designed to operate reliably under demanding environmental conditions typical of frontline combat aircraft.
SFO Technologies, which operates manufacturing and engineering facilities in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru and Mysuru, as well as in the United States, will undertake the work at its Indian sites. According to Thales, the order strengthens its long-term partnership with SFO Technologies and is expected to boost India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, particularly in high-precision and systems-intensive domains that have traditionally relied on overseas suppliers.
“The RBE2 AESA radar is a highly sophisticated system, and the wired structures are a vital part of its architecture,” Thales said in a statement. “This contract reflects our confidence in Indian industrial partners to deliver complex, mission-critical components that meet stringent quality and performance requirements.”
The move also aligns with Thales’ broader strategy to localise advanced radar and avionics production in India for platforms supplied to the Indian armed forces. The development comes in the context of India’s recent order for 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy, a deal that further expands the Rafale fleet in Indian service following the induction of 36 Rafale jets by the Indian Air Force.
“As part of the Dassault Aviation Rafale industrial team, Thales is executing a localisation roadmap that involves deeper engagement with Indian companies across the aeronautics and defence ecosystem,” the company said. This roadmap is aimed at embedding Indian suppliers into global supply chains while building long-term domestic capabilities in critical technologies.
Under the partnership, SFO Technologies will deliver a range of capabilities including precision machining, assembly and wiring, electronics, microelectronics and complex system integration. Thales said these competencies are essential for supporting next-generation radar and avionics systems and will help raise the technological depth of India’s defence manufacturing base.
Philippe Knoche, senior executive vice-president for operations and performance at Thales, said the contract reflected the company’s long-standing commitment to India’s self-reliance goals. “This partnership reflects our steadfast commitment to the Make in India initiative. Through decades of strong local collaborations, we have consistently invested in building indigenous capabilities and fostering world-class expertise within the Indian ecosystem,” he said.
Knoche added that SFO Technologies has demonstrated innovation and reliability across multiple programmes, and that Thales was pleased to reinforce the partnership in support of India’s ambitions for greater autonomy in defence production.
SFO Technologies welcomed the contract, saying it would help bring new technical expertise into India while integrating local industry more closely into a global combat aircraft supply chain. “We are honoured by Thales’ continued trust in SFO Technologies and proud to contribute to equipment production for the Rafale in India,” said N. Jehangir, chairman and managing director of SFO Technologies. “Quality and punctuality will remain our priorities.”
Neither Thales nor SFO Technologies disclosed the financial value of the contract, the number of RBE2 radars that will ultimately incorporate the India-made wired structures, or the timeline for production. However, industry observers see the deal as another indicator of the gradual but steady expansion of high-end defence manufacturing in India, particularly in areas involving advanced sensors and electronics.
