MBDA and AXISCADES Expand Strategic Partnership for Indian Defense Manufacturing

MBDA and AXISCADES have announced plans to expand their decade-long partnership, with the companies committing to broader cooperation in defense manufacturing and services. The agreement was confirmed during a meeting between MBDA CEO Eric Béranger and AXISCADES Chairman Dr. Sampath Ravinarayanan at the Paris Air Show 2025.

The expanded partnership will see AXISCADES establish a new facility at Aerospace Park near Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. This dedicated facility will house test bench laboratories, missile launcher equipment, and trained personnel to support MBDA's operations in India.

AXISCADES has served as MBDA's primary Indian offset partner for the past ten years, providing built-to-spec and built-to-print assignments for test benches used with MICA missiles and missile launchers. The Indian company has also performed depot-level maintenance of missile launchers and delivered multiple generations of test solutions for MBDA's systems.

The partnership expansion aligns with India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" self-reliance policy and MBDA's long-term "Make in India" strategy. Both companies expect the volume of sourcing for products and services to increase in coming years as MBDA experiences growth.

MBDA, formed through the merger of missile activities from Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, specializes in complex weapon systems for European nations and their allies. The company provides support services throughout the product lifecycle for air, land, and sea-based defense systems.

AXISCADES Aerospace & Technologies, a subsidiary of AXISCADES Technologies Limited, employs over 3,200 professionals across 17 global locations. The company provides engineering solutions across aerospace, defense, semiconductor, automotive, and industrial sectors, with particular expertise in weapon systems, avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems.

Working groups have been established to identify new areas of cooperation and plan implementation of the expanded partnership structure. Both companies aim to create long-term benefits through the enhanced collaboration.