India’s First Defence MoU with Slovakia Through JCBL Group

India and Slovakia have signed a significant defence Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. This agreement, finalized during Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to Slovakia in April 2025, marks the first of its kind between the two countries. Under the partnership, JCBL Group’s defence unit, Airbornics Defence & Space Pvt. Ltd. (ADSL), will collaborate with Slovakia to develop cutting-edge technologies for next-generation combat vehicles, strengthening India’s indigenous manufacturing initiative. The MoU emphasizes India’s ongoing efforts to reduce its dependency on foreign defence imports by enhancing self-reliance in defence production.

Key Highlights of the MoU

Partnership Between India and Slovakia

• India and Slovakia have entered into their first defence MoU, focusing on co-developing advanced combat systems for light tanks.
• The partnership is part of India’s broader strategic goal of increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and reducing foreign dependency.

Role of JCBL Group and ADSL

• JCBL Group’s defence unit, ADSL, will lead the development of critical combat systems, including turrets, active protection systems, remote-controlled weapon systems, and human-machine interface modules.
• ADSL specializes in aerospace systems, defence platforms, and armored vehicles, holding quality certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 and AS 9100D.

Make-in-India Vision

• The MoU aligns with the Indian government’s “Make-in-India” vision, which aims to foster indigenous manufacturing capabilities within the country.
• All manufacturing under this partnership will be conducted in India, supporting the local economy and industry.

Technology Transfer and Co-Development

• The partnership will facilitate technology transfer from Slovakia to India, enabling the development of combat platforms tailored to complex terrains and high-altitude environments.
• The focus is on manufacturing light tank systems and related technologies that meet India’s defence requirements.

Potential for Future Defence Exports

• The collaboration may open doors for future defence exports by combining Slovakia’s technological expertise with India’s manufacturing capabilities.
• India’s growing defence manufacturing sector is poised to become an important player in global defence markets.

JCBL Group’s Expertise

• Founded in 1989, JCBL Group has expanded its operations across various sectors, including mobility solutions, defence, railway components, agriculture, and finance.
• The group’s current valuation is $206.02 million, and it has previously partnered with global brands like Daimler, Toyota, and Harley-Davidson.