Thales' boost for Make in India with thermal imagers for tanks

Boosting the Make in India initiative, French aerospace and defence major Thales has signed a new contract to provide thermal imaging cameras for the Indian Army's T-90 main battle tank (MBT), it was announced here on Thursday.

As part of the contract, Thales will be effecting a transfer of production to integrate 260 compact thermal imaging (TI) Catherine cameras into the TI Sights that will be installed on the T-90s, a company statement said.

"The Catherine thermal imager is already in service with the Indian Army and this new order consolidates Thales leadership in optronic technologies in India," the statement said, adding that the transfer of production element "contributes" to the government's Make in India policy.

"The Catherine family is the most complete range of cameras available on the world market for target acquisition and weapon engagements by land vehicles. Thermal imagers allow gunners, commanders and land recce observers to see by night and by day in adverse conditions. More than 7,000 Catherine cameras are in service on board 30 types of fighting vehicles globally," the statement said.

--IANS

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