What happened:
On December 23, 2025, state-owned India Optel Limited (IOL) signed a collaboration agreement with France’s Safran Electronics & Defense to locally manufacture two high-precision systems—the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight. The agreement was signed in the presence of the Secretary (Defence Production) and builds on an internal agreement reached in January 2024.
Why it matters to India:
The deal strengthens India’s defence indigenisation under Atmanirbhar Bharat, enhances autonomous combat capabilities even in GPS-denied environments, and deepens strategic defence cooperation with France while reducing dependence on imports.