Belgium’s John Cockerill Partners with EPHL to Manufacture Tank Turrets in India.

India and Belgium are in discussions to establish a task force aimed at advancing their bilateral defence partnership. The initiative comes as two Belgian companies have entered into defence collaborations with Indian firms to integrate rocket systems on armoured vehicles and lightweight tanks.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested forming a task force in India and Belgium to structure our bilateral defence relationship. I will relay this to my Prime Minister and proceed accordingly,” said Belgian Minister Theo Francken, acknowledging the contribution of Indian soldiers during World War I.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, present at the press conference, announced that Belgium will station a senior military officer as a defence attaché at its New Delhi embassy to strengthen bilateral defence engagements. Francken also invited the Indian Navy to participate in Belgium’s Navy Day, marking a formal engagement between the two navies.

Business Collaborations

A high-level Belgian delegation of over 300 representatives from 200 companies is visiting India from March 2 to March 7 to explore business opportunities.

Among them, John Cockerill Defence (JCD) and Thales Belgium have secured partnerships with Indian firms to tap into the domestic military market.

JCD, a global leader in turret manufacturing, has partnered with Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics Pvt Ltd (EPHL) to co-manufacture, assemble, and commission turrets for the lightweight tank ‘Zorawar,’ jointly developed by DRDO and L&T for high-altitude and desert operations. The Indian Army is considering the deployment of over 350 light tanks, with potential for further expansion.

To support India's ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the joint venture will follow a 60:40 ownership structure, with JCD holding the majority stake to bring turret technology to India. This marks JCD’s first turret production venture outside Europe. The company, which exports turrets to ten countries, currently has an assembly facility outside Belgium only in Saudi Arabia.

The turrets produced in India will feature 50% indigenous content, and JCD CEO Thierry Renaudin indicated the company might share metallurgy expertise with its Indian partner. “John Cockerill is committed to making India a global manufacturing hub,” he stated.

JCD has already supplied one turret for the L&T-built Zorawar prototype, which has completed winter field trials. A second turret is being prepared for summer trials. The company and EPHL are set to supply over 59 turrets to L&T from their facility in Chakan, Pune.

Thales Belgium’s Defence Integration

Similarly, Thales Belgium has partnered with India’s state-owned Armoured Vehicle Nigam Ltd (AVNL) to integrate a 70mm rocket system onto military vehicles for the Indian armed forces. A key milestone in 2025 will be a joint demonstration, including live firing exercises, according to Belgian embassy officials.

Thales Belgium is also equipping Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) ALH-WSI helicopters for the Indian Army and Air Force with rocket launchers and ammunition. The company has been involved in this program for over 20 years, and the fleet of helicopters equipped with its rocket launchers is expected to double to over 250 platforms in the coming year.

These collaborations reflect Belgium’s growing commitment to India’s defence sector, further strengthening strategic ties between the two nations.

India and Belgium are in discussions to establish a task force aimed at advancing their bilateral defence partnership. The initiative comes as two Belgian companies have entered into defence collaborations with Indian firms to integrate rocket systems on armoured vehicles and lightweight tanks.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested forming a task force in India and Belgium to structure our bilateral defence relationship. I will relay this to my Prime Minister and proceed accordingly,” said Belgian Minister Theo Francken, acknowledging the contribution of Indian soldiers during World War I.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, present at the press conference, announced that Belgium will station a senior military officer as a defence attaché at its New Delhi embassy to strengthen bilateral defence engagements. Francken also invited the Indian Navy to participate in Belgium’s Navy Day, marking a formal engagement between the two navies.

Business Collaborations

A high-level Belgian delegation of over 300 representatives from 200 companies is visiting India from March 2 to March 7 to explore business opportunities.

Among them, John Cockerill Defence (JCD) and Thales Belgium have secured partnerships with Indian firms to tap into the domestic military market.

JCD, a global leader in turret manufacturing, has partnered with Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics Pvt Ltd (EPHL) to co-manufacture, assemble, and commission turrets for the lightweight tank ‘Zorawar,’ jointly developed by DRDO and L&T for high-altitude and desert operations. The Indian Army is considering the deployment of over 350 light tanks, with potential for further expansion.

To support India's ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the joint venture will follow a 60:40 ownership structure, with JCD holding the majority stake to bring turret technology to India. This marks JCD’s first turret production venture outside Europe. The company, which exports turrets to ten countries, currently has an assembly facility outside Belgium only in Saudi Arabia.

The turrets produced in India will feature 50% indigenous content, and JCD CEO Thierry Renaudin indicated the company might share metallurgy expertise with its Indian partner. “John Cockerill is committed to making India a global manufacturing hub,” he stated.

JCD has already supplied one turret for the L&T-built Zorawar prototype, which has completed winter field trials. A second turret is being prepared for summer trials. The company and EPHL are set to supply over 59 turrets to L&T from their facility in Chakan, Pune.

Thales Belgium’s Defence Integration

Similarly, Thales Belgium has partnered with India’s state-owned Armoured Vehicle Nigam Ltd (AVNL) to integrate a 70mm rocket system onto military vehicles for the Indian armed forces. A key milestone in 2025 will be a joint demonstration, including live firing exercises, according to Belgian embassy officials.

Thales Belgium is also equipping Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) ALH-WSI helicopters for the Indian Army and Air Force with rocket launchers and ammunition. The company has been involved in this program for over 20 years, and the fleet of helicopters equipped with its rocket launchers is expected to double to over 250 platforms in the coming year.

These collaborations reflect Belgium’s growing commitment to India’s defence sector, further strengthening strategic ties between the two nations.

HBL