Indian defence start-up IG Defence has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman-based MSA Global to explore the co-development and localisation of advanced defence systems for Oman and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Amid evolving security challenges across the Gulf, the proposed partnership aims to strengthen defence industrial cooperation, expand local manufacturing opportunities and explore new avenues for indigenous defence technology development, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.
IG Defence specialises in the design, development and deployment of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS), short-range missile systems and counter-unmanned solutions.
Under the proposed collaboration, the two companies will explore opportunities to co-develop and localise three of IG Defence's indigenous defence technology platforms. These include KAL, the company's long-range, one-way attack unmanned aerial system with a stated range of up to 1,000 kilometres; BAJ, an unmanned aerial interceptor system designed for counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) applications; and JWALA, a micro-missile system being developed for counter-drone applications.
The partnership aims to combine India's indigenous defence engineering capabilities with Oman's industrial ecosystem, creating opportunities for local manufacturing while addressing evolving defence requirements across the GCC region, the company said.
The proposed collaboration also seeks to strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities through technology development and industrial cooperation.
The MoU marks a step towards deeper India-Oman defence industrial cooperation, focusing on indigenous technology, manufacturing localisation and opportunities across regional and international markets.
For IG Defence, the proposed partnership represents an opportunity to expand its international industrial footprint and explore new avenues for collaboration across the GCC region, the statement added.
The MoU was exchanged between Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, founder and CEO of IG Defence, and Col M S Atwal (retd), Chairman of MSA Global, during the India-Oman Defence Industry Seminar in Muscat.
The event was facilitated by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence of India, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), in the presence of India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, and others.
