NEW DELHI: Navi Mumbai-based Paras Defence Space and Technology, which recently signed a licencing agreement to produce and sell Guardian-1 counter-drone interceptor with Trump-linked firm Powerus Corporation — the same US company that has also entered into a defence deal with Pakistan military, on Wednesday said that its “objective from the outset has been to contribute to strengthening India’s defence preparedness”.Paras Defence had signed the agreement on June 30 with Tandem Defence, a wholly owned subsidiary of Powerus Corporation, that granted it exclusive intellectual property licence to produce and sell the Guardian-1 high-speed battery-powered interceptor in India. But the pact was inked three months before Powerus representatives met the Pakistan military leadership in Rawalpindi, secured a limited procurement order for the counter-drone interceptor and signed an MoU with Pakistan army last Sept.Responding to a TOI query, Paras Defence, in a statement, said, “We were among the earliest to identify the potential of this technology (Guardian-1 counter-drone interceptor) and initiate discussions to bring the capability to India. Our objective from the outset has been to facilitate technology transfer, build indigenous capability and contribute to strengthening India’s defence preparedness. In line with this objective, Powerus’ role under the partnership is primarily focused on technology transfer, while the larger objective is to build indigenous manufacturing and capability in India.”The Maharashtra-based company further said, “Our focus remains on developing and strengthening India-centric defence capabilities, with the technology and know-how being adapted to meet the specific requirements of the Indian defence ecosystem.”Powerus has reported financial ties to Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, prompting regional security discussions in India regarding shared military hardware suppliers and the transfer of unmanned systems across rival countries.Since its inception in 2009, Paras Defence has been manufacturing advanced light machine guns like MK-46 and MK-48 LMGs, laser weapon systems, and weaponised tactical drones.It has also partnered with DRDO to develop laser source modules and signed a technology transfer agreement to indigenously manufacture driver night sight systems, developed by DRDO, for Indian Army’s T-90 main battle tanks.