MBDA and AXISCADES Aerospace & Technologies have forged a strategic collaboration with the launch of a centre of excellence (COE) for test benches in Bengaluru.

Inaugurating the facility located at the KIADB’s Aerospace Park near Kempe Gowda International airport, Chairman of AXISCADES Technologies,  Dr. S Ravinarayanan, said, "We plan to undertake many more critical activities with MBDA which will place AXISCADES as a significant Offset, Indigenization cum Make In India partner to MBDA.”

The COE, spanning 42,000 sq. ft. on a single floor. aims to strengthen MBDA’s Make in India initiatives by creating a reliable platform for developing advanced test solutions.  It will include a test bench laboratory, advanced equipment, and a skilled workforce, enabling simultaneous design, development, and production of multiple test benches. This will help meet global requirements in terms of schedule, quality, scale, and cost optimisation. 

AXISCADES, which has worked with MBDA since 2018, has delivered multiple generations of test benches for MICA missiles and missile launchers. The new COE will cater to MBDA’s global test solution requirements, including not only MICA but other missile systems and platforms.

Additionally, AXISCADES supports MBDA with depot-level maintenance for missile launchers installed on the Indian Air Force’s Mirage and Rafale aircraft. It also supplies ground support and handling equipment, further contributing to India’s defence infrastructure.