German Defence Tech Giant Partners with India's Leading Drone Maker, Boosting 'Make in India'
- MGMMTeam
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
In a significant boost to the Make in India initiative, the country’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, Raphe mPhibr, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the German defense powerhouse Hensoldt. This collaboration aims to co-develop an advanced landing aid radar utilizing Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology for next-generation aviation platforms.
Formally announced at Aero India 2025, this partnership not only strengthens the Make in India movement but also plays a pivotal role in enhancing Germany-India defense cooperation.
The Make in India initiative encourages businesses to design, manufacture, and assemble products within the country, promoting significant investments in local manufacturing. The policy focuses on creating a favorable investment climate, building modern infrastructure, and unlocking new sectors for foreign capital.
Hensoldt, German government, and Make in India
Hensoldt, a Germany-based company, specializes in developing solutions for defense and security applications. The German government holds a 25% stake in the company, which provides platform-independent, networked sensors and innovates in defense electronics and optronics.
As a strategic partner of the German government, Hensoldt plays a crucial role in strengthening Indo-German defense relations, particularly in light of Berlin’s increasing involvement in the Indo-Pacific and India’s rising demand for advanced defense electronics.
Oliver Dörre, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board of Hensoldt, recently shared on LinkedIn that “During my recent visit in India joining our Chancellor Olaf Scholz and a German Federal Government Delegation I confirmed that India is among the Top 5 countries/regions where Hensoldt searches international growth.”
High Hopes
Raphe mPhibr will spearhead research and development to transform MIMO—an advanced system that improves data transmission and radar capabilities—into practical applications for both unmanned drones and manned aircraft.
Vivek Mishra, CEO of Raphe mPhibr, stated that by combining Raphe’s expertise in design and manufacturing with Hensoldt’s proficiency in sensor technology, the partnership aims to deliver “a globally competitive MIMO solution.”
Expanding on the MIMO initiative, the two companies signed a second MoU to localize the production of Hensoldt’s advanced sensor payloads in India.
This initiative aims to establish a co-production facility to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and meet global demand.
Hensoldt Group Global Business Head, Russell Gould, commended Raphe’s infrastructure, stating that it meets global standards. “Their agility complements our vision for scalable, high-tech solutions.”
Andleeb Shadman, Managing Director of Hensoldt India, highlighted the strength of India-Germany defense cooperation. “This isn’t just about technology– it’s about trust,” he said, adding, “India’s market potential and Raphe’s design and execution excellence make this a win for global security infrastructure.”
Hensoldt, Samtel sign MoU
The strengthening of German-Indian defense ties through Hensoldt and Aero India 2025 did not end there.
The German defense giant also signed a memorandum with India’s Samtel Avionics (SA) to explore the possibility of setting up a co-production facility in India. This industrial partnership would focus on manufacturing Hensoldt’s products—LCR 100, Cavi Sight, and Cavi Connect.
These localized solutions, developed in collaboration with Samtel, include advanced visual landing aids, secure airborne communication systems, and lightweight flight data recorders, all tailored to meet India’s specific needs. Designed for dual-use applications, these technologies cater to both civilian and military aviation sectors in the country.
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