India has been strengthening its indigenous defence manufacturing under the Centre's Atmanirbhar Bharat policy and Make in India initiatives. Since the Pahalgam terror attack, India's defence manufacturing has seen a rapid rise, with the launch of several defence systems and long-range missile programmes. The push to make India's defence sector a self-reliant one is being supported majorly by technology-transfer partnerships with countries, including Russia, European countries and the US.
Such partnerships help local production units to incorporate global manufacturing expertise and standards. In line with the technology-transfer initiative, Indian defence manufacturer Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS) has signed a strategic technology partnership with Czech Republic-based DEUS Automation, which is a sister company of the STV group.
The collaboration focuses on technology transfer for the production of small-calibre ammunition in India. Under the deal, VTDS will have access to manufacturing technologies and production systems used in international ammunition manufacturing. The collaboration will help VTDS to establish domestic production capabilities aligned with global quality and precision standards.
According to VTDS, the partnership with DEUS Automation is intended to strengthen manufacturing infrastructure while contributing to India's long-term defence preparedness.
Sahil Luthra, Founder and Managing Director of VTDS, said that the company has been focusing on expanding its capabilities through international collaborations. He said that the partnership with DEUS is intended to bring advanced defence manufacturing technologies to India through international cooperation while supporting the country's long-term goal of building globally competitive manufacturing capabilities.
Prikansha Luthra, Co-Founder and Director of VTDS, said the agreement extends beyond technology transfer and aims to support innovation, manufacturing excellence and capability development within India's defence sector.
DEUS Automation Chief Executive Officer and Board Member Alex Cerný and Manager of Sales, Projects & Purchase Ondrej Cerný described the partnership as a long-term industrial collaboration centred on technology exchange, advanced manufacturing and knowledge sharing. They said the collaboration reflects a shared objective of supporting India's expanding defence manufacturing ecosystem through proven international production expertise.
India has placed significant emphasis on local defence production over the past few years through policy measures encouraging domestic manufacturing, technology partnerships and industrial collaboration. Alongside higher defence spending and increasing procurement from Indian manufacturers, technology transfer agreements are becoming an important route for building specialised manufacturing capabilities that require years of technical expertise.
Industry observers note that technology-transfer partnerships have become increasingly important as India seeks to build domestic capabilities in specialised defence manufacturing segments where global expertise can accelerate local production. Such collaborations are expected to strengthen supply chains, enhance manufacturing standards and gradually reduce dependence on imported technologies.