Saab Group, a Swedish aerospace and defence company, is set to ink a pact with Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), to jointly manufacture air defence systems.

The joint venture between Saab and KSSL, the defence arm of the Kalyani Group, will make and deliver air defence systems to the Indian customers, according to a company statement.

The venture will make subsystems and components for short-range surface-to-air missile system and very short-range air defence systems.

“I am glad to announce our contribution to Make in India through our agreement with KSSL and the Kalyani Group to establish a joint venture company in India for the Air Defence Programmes. The JV is already under preparation within both companies, and will be ready to launch soon,” said Gorgen Johansson, head of Saab Business Area Dynamics. Orders of missile parts have already been issued to KSSL and production-readiness reviews have started. Saab and KSSL are already planning for the technology transfer for different packages within the programme.

“The joint venture company will combine Saab's knowledge and experience as a developer and supplier of high-technology radar and missile systems, with the engineering excellence and manufacturing capabilities of the Kalyani Group. The joint venture will create a global supplier in the area of ground-based air defence systems based in India,” said Amit Kalyani, Executive Director at Kalyani Group.

KSSL, a 100 per cent unit of Bharat Forge Ltd., is a part of the Kalyani Group, a conglomerate engaged in forgings for automotive and non-automotive sectors, speciality steels and infrastructure.