Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice President, Thales India.
Thales Appoints Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice-President for India:New Delhi, India – Global technology leader Thales has announced the appointment of Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice-President for India, effective 10 September 2025. With over 25 years of experience in the aerospace, defence, and consulting industries, Kanaglekar’s appointment signals a new chapter for Thales in India, as the company continues to focus on enhancing local partnerships, driving innovation, and supporting India’s ambitious self-reliance vision under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
In his new role, Kanaglekar will be responsible for overseeing Thales’ strategy and operations across a wide array of sectors, including aerospace, defence, cyber, and digital technologies. His primary focus will be on scaling up industrial collaboration, strengthening local engineering capabilities, and advancing cutting-edge solutions tailored to India’s growing technological needs.
Ankur Kanaglekar brings extensive expertise in driving strategic growth and leading high-stakes initiatives, with a particular focus on co-developing and co-producing advanced defence platforms in India. His leadership track record includes 14 years at Boeing, where he held the position of Executive Director and led global defence projects, sales campaigns, and partnerships with Indian public and private sector organisations. His work has been integral in advancing the Make in India initiative and fostering defence localisation.
Pascale Sourisse, CEO, Thales Group.
Speaking about the appointment, Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO of Thales International, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome Ankur Kanaglekar to the Thales team. With his deep understanding of the Indian market and his proven leadership in driving strategic initiatives, we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in further enhancing our support for India’s self-reliance goals. Our focus will remain on co-developing innovative solutions and nurturing local talent to help advance India’s technological ambitions.”
READ: Israel’s Elbit Systems Unveils Frontier: A Next-Generation AI-Based Border Defense System
Strengthening Thales’ Presence in India
Thales, a global leader in aerospace, defence, security, and digital technologies, has long been committed to India as a key partner in nation-building. The company’s investment in the country aligns with the Indian government’s vision of technological self-sufficiency, and Kanaglekar’s appointment underscores Thales’ intention to deepen its footprint in India, particularly in defence and aerospace sectors.
India’s burgeoning defence industry has been at the forefront of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat movement, with a clear focus on domestic manufacturing and localisation. Thales has already been an active player in this space, providing advanced technology solutions for both military and civilian applications. Under Kanaglekar’s leadership, the company aims to foster deeper collaborations with local businesses, support India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, and co-develop state-of-the-art systems to meet the country’s strategic needs.
“I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility at such a critical time for India,” said Ankur Kanaglekar in his first statement as Vice-President. “India is at the heart of Thales’ global strategy, and I look forward to leading the company’s operations to accelerate growth, deepen localisation, and contribute to India’s journey towards technological self-reliance. I am excited to work alongside our partners, teams, and stakeholders to create innovative solutions that will support India’s vision of becoming a global leader in defence and technology.”
READ: Explained: India-France $7 Billion Partnership for AMCA Jet Engine Project
A Career Steeped in Aerospace and Defence Expertise
Kanaglekar’s extensive experience spans both the private sector and consulting. Prior to his tenure at Boeing, he worked as an Engagement Manager at PRTM Management Consulting (now part of PwC), where he advised Fortune 500 clients on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic market operations within the aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pune University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, USA, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
READ: Germany’s Everllence Bags India Mazagon Dock Order to Supply 42 High Speed Engines
India’s Strategic Role in Global Defence and Technology
As India continues to evolve into a hub for defence and aerospace innovation, the role of key global players like Thales becomes ever more critical. The company’s focus on localisation and technological collaboration with Indian industry players will be central to advancing the nation’s defence capabilities, especially in high-tech areas such as cybersecurity, avionics, and next-generation aerospace technologies.
Thales is also positioned to support India’s digital transformation goals, offering advanced solutions in areas like cybersecurity and smart infrastructure, which are integral to securing India’s growing digital economy. By driving innovation and industrial collaboration, Thales aims to contribute to India’s goal of becoming a global technology powerhouse while ensuring long-term sustainability and security for the nation.
With Ankur Kanaglekar at the helm, Thales looks set to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s defence and technological landscape, helping the nation achieve its self-reliance objectives while fostering lasting partnerships that support mutual growth and innovation.
READ: India’s Defence Production Hits Record $16.56 Billion in FY 2024-25