Raytheon in tie-up talks with Indian companies

Mumbai: Fresh from the successful testing of Gagan, the satellite-based navigation system being jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and US defence major Raytheon, the US company is probing fresh tie-ups with Indian companies.

The $22-billion US defence firm is now actively holding talks with both public and private sector companies in India to develop state-of-the-art electronics surveillance systems and possible missile defence on a partnership basis.

"We are talking to many Indian companies, including the PSUs, on possible partnerships to develop defence-related equipment in India," Torkel Patterson, president of Raytheon International, said on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Air Show in London.

With seven divisions, Raytheon produces more than 7,000 defence-related products. And, with the US government encouraging increased defence cooperation with India, Raytheon wants to enter the Indian market in a big way.

"Time has come to work with the Indian companies for the benefit of both countries," Patterson said adding, once the Indo-US nuclear deal sails through, it would herald a new era in bilateral relations, especially in defence.

The company has already held discussions with the Tata group, Larson & Toubro Ltd and public sector Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).