Indian defence technology firm IG Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman-based MSA Global LLC to explore the joint development and local manufacturing of indigenous defence systems for Oman and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The agreement was exchanged during the India-Oman Defence Industry Seminar in Muscat, reflecting growing defence-industrial cooperation between the two countries and a broader push to expand the presence of Indian-developed military technologies in international markets.

Under the proposed collaboration, the two companies will assess opportunities to co-develop and localise three of IG Defence's indigenous platforms.

The first is KAL, a long-range one-way attack unmanned aerial system with a claimed operational range of up to 1,000 kilometres.

The second is BAJ, an unmanned aerial interceptor specifically designed for counter-unmanned aircraft system missions and drone interception roles.

The third is JWALA, a micro-missile system currently under development for counter-drone applications.

The partnership is intended to combine India's indigenous defence engineering expertise with Oman's industrial and manufacturing capabilities. Both sides aim to create local production opportunities while addressing evolving security requirements across the Gulf region, particularly the increasing demand for advanced drone and counter-drone technologies.

The MoU was exchanged between Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder and CEO of IG Defence, and Col M S Atwal (Retd), Chairman of MSA Global LLC. The seminar was facilitated by the Department of Defence Production under India's Ministry of Defence in association with FICCI, and was attended by senior Indian and Omani officials.

The development highlights the growing importance of international industrial partnerships in strengthening regional manufacturing ecosystems and advancing defence technology collaboration. It also aligns with India's wider effort to increase exports of indigenous defence systems and establish overseas manufacturing partnerships in strategic markets.

Commenting on the partnership, Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya said, "Our partnership with MSA Global reflects our vision of taking India's indigenous defence technologies to global markets through strategic industrial collaboration."

The collaboration is guided by the vision: "Designed in India. Made in Oman. Built for the World!"

Col M S Atwal (Retd) emphasised that the evolving security environment in the Gulf underlines the importance of strengthening indigenous defence capabilities and developing resilient regional manufacturing ecosystems, while combining Indian engineering expertise with Oman's industrial strengths to support long-term industrial cooperation.

As Gulf nations place increasing focus on protecting critical infrastructure and countering emerging aerial threats, the proposed partnership could provide a pathway for Indian-developed UAV, interceptor and counter-drone technologies to gain a larger footprint across the region while supporting local manufacturing ambitions in Oman.

Agencies