Memorandum of Understanding opens the path to a dedicated production center in India, technology cooperation and a potential joint venture in support of Make in India
New Delhi, India | September 3, 2026: Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, and FN Herstal, a wholly owned subsidiary of FN Browning Group, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pursue local manufacturing and industrial cooperation in support of India’s defence requirements. The partnership brings together six decades of Indian advanced engineering and technology-led manufacturing at scale with more than 135 years of global leadership in small arms and integrated weapon systems.
Under the MoU, KSSL and FN Herstal will evaluate the establishment of a dedicated production center in India and a Strategic Alliance / Joint Venture covering a range of FN Herstal defence solutions for the Indian market, spanning small arms, integrated weapon systems and counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions. The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s Make in India policy. It reflects a shared intent to build capability inside the country through local manufacturing, technology cooperation and value creation, strengthening India’s defence industrial base and deepening domestic participation in defence procurement programmes. For the Indian armed forces, this translates into long-term security of supply and greater strategic autonomy in a category of systems that is central to operational readiness.
Mr. Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd., said: “Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) is proud to partner with FN Herstal to bring world-class technology, products, and manufacturing expertise to India. By combining FN Herstal’s globally respected portfolio and decades of experience with KSSL’s engineering excellence and industrial scale, we are creating a strong platform to deliver advanced defence solutions from India – for India and global markets. Together, we aim to support India’s defence modernisation through locally manufactured, globally leading products while strengthening indigenous capabilities and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Mr. Julien Compere, Chief Executive Officer, FN Browning Group, said: “India is a strategic partner for FN Herstal, and we are proud to take this important step with Kalyani Strategic Systems. This agreement reflects a shared ambition: to combine FN Herstal’s proven defence solutions, trusted by the world’s most demanding armed forces, with KSSL’s outstanding industrial capabilities to help build long-term sovereign capacity for the Indian Armed Forces. Together, we are committed to supporting the objectives of Make in India through local manufacturing, technology cooperation and the development of advanced defence capabilities, creating lasting value for India, its armed forces and our two companies.”
Under the terms of the MoU, the parties will jointly explore and assess the feasibility of potential cooperation projects aimed primarily at meeting the requirements of the Indian market.
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About Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, drives the defence business of the Kalyani Group, one of the world’s foremost advanced engineering and technology-led manufacturing enterprises. With more than six decades of expertise in design, engineering, metallurgy and advanced manufacturing, KSSL delivers sovereign defence capability across the land, marine and unmanned domains, spanning artillery systems, armoured and protected vehicles, small arms, ammunition, marine systems, and unmanned platforms. Alongside battle-ready systems, KSSL enables partner nations to build their own defence industrial base through technology partnership, local industrialisation and assured through-life support, backed by proven production at scale and security of supply. Trusted by Indian and global armed forces and by governments seeking resilient, self-reliant capability, KSSL is a global defence partner of choice.
About FN Herstal
FN Herstal, headquartered in Herstal, Belgium, is the defence and security arm of FN Browning Group and a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of small calibre weapons, ammunition and integrated weapon systems for armed forces and law enforcement agencies. Founded in 1889, FN has equipped users in a large number of countries across more than 135 years, and today its solutions extend from individual small arms to crew-served and remotely operated weapon stations, precision systems and counter-unmanned aerial system capability. FN Browning Group operates production sites across NATO and EU countries and reported revenue exceeding EUR 1 billion in 2025.
Media Contact for KSSL:
Dimple Raisurana Kapur | Dimple.Raisuranakapur@kalyani.in | +91 9371507196
Media Contact for FN Herstal:
Henry de Harenne | henry.deharenne@fnbrowninggroup.com | +32 4 240 8099