French aerospace and defence major Thales has expanded its supply chain operations in India by integrating more than 75 local suppliers into its global network. Accordingly, these suppliers are contributing to diverse areas, ranging from mechanical parts and radar structures to software and hardware development, underscoring India’s emergence as a critical node in the company’s global operations. In 2024, Thales’s purchasing volume from India crossed €250 million, reflecting the scale of its sourcing. Over the years, the company has built partnerships with airlines, airport operators and other stakeholders in avionics, navigational aids, the Digi-Yatra programme and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Mr Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice-President, Avionics, at Thales, said the company’s focus is not only on Make in India but also on Export from India, as per a report.