• Looking Beyond the Stars: The Group Explores Astronomy, Space & Defence Partnerships in India
  • Telescopes, Launch Pads & Space Infrastructure: EIE Group Brings Italian Technology to India
  • EIE Group Sets Sights on India: Joint Ventures, Manufacturing and a New Space Supply Chain

By Sangeeta Saxena

Bengaluru. 09 September 2026. What do giant telescopes, astronomical observatories, launch pads, satellite payloads and ground facilities for space applications have in common? For Italian engineering company EIE Group, they form part of a technology canvas that stretches from studying the universe to enabling the infrastructure needed for space and defence. At BSX 2026 in Bengaluru, EIE Group President Gianpietro Marchiori arrived with an agenda that went well beyond showcasing Italian technology. His focus was on finding Indian partners, exploring joint ventures, widening the company’s international supply chain and, eventually, looking at the possibility of shared manufacturing in India. The company sees opportunities not only in space and defence but also in astronomy, where Marchiori believes India and Italy could collaborate on both infrastructure and science.

In conversation with Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) at the Italian Pavilion, Marchiori spoke about EIE Group’s technology portfolio, its plans for India and why he believes the similarities between Indian and Italian creativity, culture and dedication to work can provide fertile ground for a deeper industrial partnership.

ADU. We are meeting at BSX 2026, where EIE Group is exhibiting at the Italian Pavilion. Tell us about the company and what brings you to India.

Gianpietro Marchiori. I am Gianpietro Marchiori, President of EIE Group. We are an Italian company operating in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, space and defence. We are here at this incredible conference to explore opportunities and possible cooperation with Indian industry and the scientific community. In astronomy, in particular, we have identified possibilities for cooperation both in the realisation of infrastructure and in shared science.

In space and defence, we know the capabilities of Indian companies very well. There is strong technological capability here. The way forward is to combine the capabilities of our company with those of Indian companies and explore opportunities together — in India, in Italy and around the world.

ADU. What kind of association are you looking for with Indian industry?

Gianpietro Marchiori. The first step would be to develop joint-venture cooperation around specific projects. Then, step by step, there is also the possibility of developing and sharing a common manufacturing process here in India.

ADU. Is this your first visit to India, or have you been engaging with the country for some time?

Gianpietro Marchiori. We have been coming to India for a long time. In terms of our space activities, however, this is our second time here. Our previous experience was fantastic. The event was very well organised, and we saw very good cooperation between the two nations.

ADU. For our readers, what exactly does EIE Group manufacture and deliver?

Gianpietro Marchiori. Our production includes large telescopes, radio telescopes, specialised telescopes and observatories in general. We also work on ground facilities for space applications, launch pads, satellites, payloads and other applications for the military and defence sectors.

ADU. Is your existing supply chain entirely European?

Gianpietro Marchiori. No. Our supply chain is international. In fact, one of the reasons we are here is to expand that supply chain, particularly in areas such as mechanics, electrical systems and structures.

ADU. Does that mean you are actively looking at Indian companies becoming part of EIE Group’s supply chain?

Gianpietro Marchiori. Absolutely. We intend to cooperate with Indian companies and create a specific Italy–India supply chain in this field.

ADU. Do you currently have suppliers or customers in India?

Gianpietro Marchiori. At the moment, we do not have customers here. We have, however, purchased specialised products manufactured in India for specific applications — for example, special inflatable seals that we normally use for our domes.

ADU. How has the response been at BSX 2026? Are people coming to the pavilion and enquiring about your products?

Gianpietro Marchiori. It has been impressive. We have seen an incredible number of people at the pavilion and developed very good relationships with Indian companies that are interested in working together. Many, many people have been asking us about our products. It has been a pleasure.

ADU. Do you see a market in India for EIE Group’s complete systems and equipment?

Gianpietro Marchiori. I am convinced that this is the way to go.

ADU. Are you also engaging with ISRO, NSIL and government institutions in India?

Gianpietro Marchiori. Yes. We have regular engagement with the Indian government, and I will be in New Delhi next week with our Embassy. Our company also follows the direction coming from the Italian government in taking Italian technology around the world. We are one of the companies presenting Italian technological capabilities internationally.

ADU. So could these discussions in Delhi take the relationship with India a step further?

Gianpietro Marchiori. Exactly. The intention is to create a stable basis from which we can pursue opportunities together.

ADU. Is there anything else you would like to add about working with India?

Gianpietro Marchiori. It is a pleasure to work with Indian people because I see characteristics similar to Italians — in terms of creativity, imagination, culture and dedication to work.

ADU. Which major international scientific organisations has EIE Group worked with over the years?

Gianpietro Marchiori. We have realised multiple projects for major international astronomical organisations. These include the European Southern Observatory (ESO), Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), France’s Institut des Sciences de l’Univers (INSU), the American LBT Corporation, and the University of Tokyo. Working with such organisations has given us experience in addressing some of the most demanding requirements in astronomy and astrophysics.

ADU. How extensive is EIE Group’s involvement in a project? Is it primarily design and engineering, or do you also undertake manufacturing and installation?

Gianpietro Marchiori. Our expertise covers the entire project chain — from Project Management, Engineering and Design to Manufacturing, Pre-Assembly, Testing and Erection on site. Whether the requirement involves observational instrumentation, domes and enclosures, or specialised equipment, our goal is to provide efficient and dynamic solutions that meet the customer’s expectations.

ADU. Could you tell us about some of the landmark astronomy projects that demonstrate these capabilities?

Gianpietro Marchiori. We have delivered major projects such as ALMA — the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) and the four Very Large Telescope (VLT) units. We have also been working on the Turkish DAG telescope, for which we are designing and fabricating both the telescope and dome, as well as the LSST — Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, involving manufacturing and erection on site. These projects demonstrate our ability to work on highly sophisticated astronomical infrastructure and to take responsibility for multiple stages of project development and execution.

ADU. Astronomy and Big Science are central to EIE Group, but how does the company extend these capabilities into the aerospace sector?

Gianpietro Marchiori. We do this through EIE Space Technologies, the EIE Group subsidiary dedicated to aerospace. Through EIE Space Technologies, we provide a wide range of services and engineering solutions for the aerospace industry. These include the design and realisation of complex optical, mechanical and thermal ground-support equipment.

ADU. Does EIE Space Technologies also work on technologies directly related to space exploration and Earth observation?

Gianpietro Marchiori. Yes. Our capabilities include opto-mechanical system design and prototyping for Solar System exploration and Earth observation. This allows us to bring the engineering experience accumulated through astronomy, astrophysics and large scientific infrastructure into aerospace applications, where precision, reliability and highly specialised engineering are equally important.

For EIE Group, India is clearly more than a market to sell into. Gianpietro Marchiori’s conversation with ADU points towards something more ambitious. joint projects, an India–Italy supply chain and, eventually, the possibility of manufacturing together in India.

That proposition acquires greater significance when one looks at the breadth of EIE Group’s canvas — from giant telescopes and astronomical observatories to ground facilities, launch infrastructure, payloads and defence applications. India, with its expanding space ecosystem and manufacturing base, could become both a partner and a part of that global network.

Perhaps Marchiori’s most telling observation was also his simplest. Indians and Italians, he believes, share creativity, imagination, culture and dedication to their work. In a technology-intensive sector where successful partnerships are built as much on trust as engineering capability, those commonalities could matter. From looking at the stars together to building the infrastructure that reaches them, EIE Group’s India pitch is clear. the next chapter should be built together.

As Told To Sangeeta Saxena