Indian Army orders MBDA’s MILAN Anti-Tank Missile

The procurement section of the Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Indian defence contractor BDL (Bharat Dynamics Ltd.) for the supply of MILAN missiles to the Indian Army. Signed on 3rd December 2008, this contract will see BDL continuing its production under licence agreement with MBDA for the MILAN missile for at least another four years. BDL has already manufactured well over 30,000 MILAN missiles, in its various variants, under licence to MBDA in an unbroken business partnership that dates back to the 1970s. With the recent contract this partnership has now been further consolidated. Most of the components will be locally sourced and produced in India with BDL also responsible for final assembly. MBDA will be contributing part of the missile pyrotechnics. Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, said: “I am doubly delighted by the news of this contract. As well as confirming that MILAN continues to be the weapon of choice for many of today’s modern ground forces, this contract also further cements the close partnership MBDA has developed with BDL over the years”.