IT firm Mahindra Satyam on Wednesday said it has set up a delivery centre in Toulouse, France, dedicated to aerospace and defence sector.

This is part of the company's larger strategy of expanding footprint in Europe with focus on strengthening relationships with regional aerospace and defence businesses, Mahindra Satyam said in a statement.

The centre is Mahindra Satyam's second such investment after its dedicated aerospace centre in Hamburg, Germany, in 2008, it added.

The centre will ramp-up to house up to 80 people towards the end of this year and will offer engineering services.

It will also function as a front office for developing the services around technologies like SAP, PLM and application management services.

The new centre is expected to shore up operations and create opportunities for local talent in engineering, IT and communications domains, it added.

Mahindra Satyam is a certified supplier to EADS, a global leader in aerospace, and has been involved in strategic engagements with Airbus since 2004.

It has engineering, IT and manufacturing engagements with EADS companies across France, Germany, UK, India and China.

"France is an important market for us and we are committed to investing on multiple fronts and enhancing the value delivered to our customers," Mahindra Satyam CEO CP Gurnani said.

Aerospace and defence is a key growth sector for Mahindra Satyam and the company said it expects to invest in both its organic and inorganic growth.

This centre is part of the company's strategy to offer a 'Global Delivery Platform' to its partners, Mahindra Satyam said.

This is aimed at reducing risk, creating a seamless organisation with partners and allowing the company to tap into skills and expertise that may not be available in India, it added.

"The establishment of a delivery centre in Toulouse will help expanding Mahindra Satyam's operations in France, generating jobs and making use of local talent in the areas of Aerospace Engineering and Information Technology," Indian Ambassador in France Rakesh Sood said in the statement.