- Karan Gupta Talks MKU’s Strategy, Supply Chain Integration, and Electro-Optics at DSEI 2025
- “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”. Karan Gupta on Why MKU’s Global Presence Matters
By Sangeeta Saxena
Excel Centre, London. 11 September 2025. MKU has played a pioneering role in the indigenisation of critical protective gear and advanced technologies for India’s armed forces and security agencies. The company has been at the forefront of developing and supplying bulletproof jackets and combat helmets that meet stringent global standards, while ensuring they are manufactured in India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. By leveraging decades of expertise in survivability solutions, MKU has not only equipped Indian soldiers with lightweight, high-performance armour but also reduced dependence on imports.
Expanding its portfolio into electro-optic equipment, MKU has introduced indigenous night vision devices, thermal imagers, and surveillance systems, providing enhanced situational awareness for defence and paramilitary forces. This integration of protection and optronics underlines MKU’s commitment to strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing while also creating globally competitive products.
At the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 in London, MKU once again with a strong global presence and an expanding focus on electro-optics and armour technologies, attracted attention from partners and end-users worldwide. In this exclusive interaction with ADU, Karan Gupta, Vice President – Strategy & New Business Development at MKU, discussed the company’s experience at DSEI, its collaborative approach with global OEMs, and future plans for integration into UK and EU supply chains.
ADU. Karan, we are meeting here at DSEI London. MKU has a very well-designed stall away from the India Pavilion. How have the last three days been for you?
Karan Gupta. Today being the third day, I can say the first two days and today have been excellent. We saw a good number of old partners, new partners, and end-users visit us at the stand. A show like this reiterates our capability to deliver solutions and reminds end-users that MKU is a consistent player. Such events keep us visible, help us engage directly with customers, and allow us to customise solutions based on specific user feedback.
ADU. And how has the footfall been at your booth?
Karan Gupta. The footfall has been very good. We received many enquiries from our existing partners and met several potential new ones. Given that this is largely a European-centric show, we had productive interactions with the UK Ministry of Defence and various European police units regarding their upcoming projects. These discussions allowed us to understand not only procurement plans but also specific challenges faced by end-users.
ADU. Do you face local competition in the UK for your products?
Karan Gupta. Yes, absolutely. There are local manufacturers of electro-optics and armour solutions. But instead of just competing, we also explore partnerships with them. With India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and the UK’s Make UK Defence Policy, we see huge opportunities to integrate into UK supply chains. The recently signed free trade agreement between India and the UK further strengthens these possibilities.
ADU. Beyond Europe, what kind of global presence did you observe at DSEI?
Karan Gupta. DSEI in London truly attracts participants from across the globe. We had delegations from Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. The show is a global hub, and it provided us with a fantastic platform to meet a wide range of customers.
ADU. What are MKU’s focus areas at DSEI 2025?
Karan Gupta. One of our key goals this year is expanding partnerships with UK-based and European OEMs. At our booth, we showcased our electro-optics technology in a new way and highlighted how Indian engineering expertise can be offered to global partners. We are not just presenting finished products but also positioning MKU as a collaborative engineering partner in both electro-optics and armour.
ADU. Where are MKU’s facilities located globally?
Karan Gupta. We have facilities in Kanpur, in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone (UAE), and in Germany. Our German factory, which we acquired in 2008, is especially important today because of the growing Make in EU requirements. With defence spending in Europe rising from 2% to 5% of GDP, MKU is strategically positioned—leveraging our strong Indian supply chain and German manufacturing base—to serve the European market effectively.
Through its presence at DSEI 2025, MKU highlighted its dual strengths. delivering advanced armour and electro-optics solutions, while also offering engineering expertise for global collaboration. With facilities in India, the UAE, and Germany, the company is poised to take advantage of rising defence budgets and localisation policies in the UK and EU. Karan Gupta’s insights reaffirm MKU’s commitment to being not just a manufacturer, but also a trusted partner in building the next generation of defence capabilities worldwide.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena
