CHENNAI: Cyient Ltd inked a joint venture deal on Wednesday with Israel-based drone maker BlueBird Aero Systems to build and assemble indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) at its Hyderabad facility, aligning with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The firms also said these drones would be offered to the Indian defence, paramilitary, police and security forces.
The joint venture, named Cyient Solutions & Systems Private Limited, will have 51 per cent shareholding by Cyient and 49 per cent by BlueBird. The deal was signed during the Defexpo 2018 on Wednesday.
Cyient Solutions & Systems said it would make SpyLite, ThunderB, and MicroB systems in India, equipped with unmanned aircraft system technology designed for real-time mapping and imagery and used by the military for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance purposes.
The Indian manufacturer had said in January 2018 that it expected a double-digit growth in its services business in FY 2019, backed by strong demand for its utilities and geospatial and aerospace business units.
“The JV also underlines the commitment of both partners to the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” said Krishna Bodanapu, CEO and MD, Cyient.