Indian defence industry exports watch

[Indx TechStyle]

New ventures help advancement of defence systemsCredits: indiadefencereview.com

Every century sees an advancement in defence systems across the globe. With increasing violence, cross-border terrorisms, anti-national activities and several such fourth generation warfares, a country is forced to develop new defence mechanisms then and there. The new-generation ventures in India are all set to come to the aid of the countries around the world.

1. ideaForge
   
   
   Credit: ideaforge.co.in
   

   ideaForge, founded by IIT-B alumni, back in 2007 is one among the ventures that help defence in the country. It’s first customer was Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Following this, they closed the deals with paramilitary and military units. They provide the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Now, ideaForge’s gear is in use to track floods, militancy, anti-Naxal operations and several other missions of DRDO. Ankit Mehta, Rahul Singh and Ashish Bhat, co-founders of this venture work with an intention to build a world-class defence business from India and also expect to have an annual revenue of $100-120 million in the next few years.

2. VizExperts
   
   
   Credits: vizexperts.com
   

   Praveen Bhaniramka, founder of VizExpert, finds the possibilities of innovation limitless. VizExperts is a provider of geographic information systems. The famous product of this firm includes, GeorbIS, which now finds its use in the National Security Guard (NSG) and Border Security Force (BSF). GeorbIS deploys a combination of geographic information system (GIS), including gaming and simulation to devise solutions for the needs of Indian defence forces. Bhaniramka claims the revenue will further increase from Rs. 23 crore to Rs. 40, crore this year.

3. Axio Biosolutions
   
   
   Credits: axiobio.com
   

   Axio Biosolutions is a provider of hemostats that control bleeding. This company, backed by Accel Partners and IDG Ventures, benefits as there are less than five providers of hemostats to the defence forces. Unlike other providers, whose products costs around Rs 13,000-14,000 per pack, Axio provides the same for Rs. 2000. The need for hemostats was always felt by the force during several anti-Naxal operations. Leo Mavely, co-founder and his team have progressed a lot over the past years and have deals with the BSF and also the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

4. Omnipresent Robotics
   
   
   Credits: omnipresenttech.com
   

   Omnipresent Robotics is a developer of UAVs, drones and robots. Founded by Aakash Sinha, who had worked for the US defence for nearly eight years, started Omnipresent in India. His first project was building ‘Angad’ to sense bombs and also to defuse them. The project, is at present under military trials with DRDO. Omnipresent already has a couple of dozen UAVs deployed and hopes to sell at least 35 to 40 of them annually.

5. Tonbo Imaging
   
   
   
   Credits: tomboimaging.com
   

   Tonbo Imaging, the Bengaluru-based provider of imaging and sensor systems works with a vision to advance the defence sytem in the world. The firm, for the first four years survived with zero revenue as its founders were keen on building products. After 2003, within a year, the revenue doubled to $ 3 million. By the end of 2016, the company backed by Artiman Ventures, earns $20-25 million. It proudly proclaimed its $100 million deal with Peruvian army to manufacture and export night vision sights. Tonbo, not only overthrow the existing night vision goggles provider, but also offered the product for Rs 14 lakh, against Rs 23 lakh of the previous state-run firm.

There are still more new firms that are joining hands with the Indian defence forces, making the country proud and sufficient enough to rely on its own defence systems. These firms have also improved the business across the country. With, ‘Make in India’ flying high, these new ventures are warmly welcomed by the people of the sub-continent.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Defence ministry panel recommends review of deployment pattern
By Express News Service | Published: 09th January 2017 08:51 PM |
Last Updated: 09th January 2017 08:53 PM |

FILE: Indian army officers stand on vehicles displaying missiles during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2016. | Reuters

NEW DELHI: A defence ministry panel headed by retired Lt Gen DB Shekatkar—appointed by the government to enhance the combat potential of the armed forces and rebalancing defence expenditure has recommended shedding the flab in the MoD but to give more combat force by redeployment and integrate manpower.

Committee also suggested that the government can save upto Rs 25,000 crore from its current budget, if majority of its recommendations are implemented over the next five years. But pointing out current security scenario, the committee also recommended that the defence budget should be in the range of 2.5 and three per cent of the GDP.

Committee, which was set up in May, 2016, submitted its report to the defence ministry of last week of December. Though officially, ministry was tight lipped about the outcome of the report, but sources have indicated that the committee has suggested a reorientation of training facilities so as to save defence expenditure. The defence minister is evaluating the 550 pages report to make changes in the armed forces structure.

However, giving stern warning to the government that the implementation cannot be selective, the committee report observed that the redeployment of manpower from and downsizing of some of the organisations under the MoD will have to be across the board and ruthless to be effective. Sources said that the panel has taken an overall view of the emerging security environment in the South Asia region and cross-border hostilities from Pakistan in the recent past.

Sources also said that one of the major recommendations of the committee is to review the definition of ‘Capital’ and ‘Revenue’ budget heads in the funds allocated to the three armed forces, particularly the Indian Army.

The panel has suggested better coordination between the MoD and state governments to handle transfer of land to armed forces for firing ranges.

Shekatkar Committee has also recommended a 4-star Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)—or a Permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee—be appointed as a ‘chief coordinator’ between the military and the Ministry of Defence.

 

[charlie]

Gujarat PR...........................

 

[Indx TechStyle]

China Won’t ‘Sit With Arms Crossed’ If India Sells Missiles To Vietnam: Chinese Media

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India has offered to train Bangladeshi Submariners for upcoming Chinese subs.
Tricky offer to Dhaka

New Delhi, Jan. 11: India has offered to train Bangladesh navy crews in operating submarines after Dhaka recently acquired the first of two boats from Beijing.

India has also agreed to host Vietnamese air force pilots to train in advanced combat techniques on Sukhoi fighter jets. Both the Indian and Vietnamese air forces fly variants of the Sukhoi 30 combat jets.

But it is New Delhi's offer to host Bangladesh submarine crews at INS Satavahana, the Indian Navy submarine academy at Visakhapatnam that is a delicate matter.

Bangladesh's recent acquisition of a Chinese Ming-class Type 035B submarine was initially a surprise for countries in the Bay of Bengal region. Despite China being a reasonably consistent supplier of equipment to the Bangladesh military, Dhaka's acquisition of the first of two-Ming-class submarines was surprising for most countries around the Bay of Bengal region. This is the first time the Bangladesh Navy has acquired undersea combat capability.

The Ming-class submarines supplied to China were built in the 1990s and were refurbished before being given to Bangladesh under a three-year-old contract. China is also understood to have trained a small Bangladeshi crew, as part of the contract, at its submarine base in Hainan Island at the rim of the South China Sea.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has over the years expanded its submarine fleet to more than 60, many of them the Type 093B nuclear-boats. This expansion has been accompanied by an increasing deployment of its warship flotillas, including submarines, in the Indian Ocean region in waters around India. The official reason cited by China is its prolonged deployment for intensive counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.

But the Indian and US navies find little operational logic in the Chinese deployment of submarines - some of which have been nuclear-powered - for the stated task. Two submarines of the PLAN were known to have docked in a Pakistani port last year.

The Indian Navy has now proposed to host Bangladeshi crews who will operate the Chinese-built submarines at three of its schools in INS Satavahana: the Submarine Training School (SMS), the Escape Training School (ETS) and the School of Advanced Undersea Warfare (SAUW).

This is also where the Indian Navy has in the past hosted Vietnamese naval crew. Both the Indian and Vietnamese navies operate Russian-origin Kilo-class submarines.

An agreement to train Vietnamese fighter pilots in India was reached last month during talks led by the south east Asian nation's defence minister who was in New Delhi at the head of a 30-member delegation.

The two sides initially were planning for a team of Indian Air Force instructors to be deployed in Vietnam. But they then changed the plan and agreed that the Vietnamese pilots should be hosted at IAF bases.

India is also understood to be in talks with Vietnam to supply Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAMs) systems. The SAMs - developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and now being inducted into the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force - have a range of 25km.

The DRDO claims they can intercept targets - such as incoming missiles - at a height of 20km after being activated.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Army looking at future technologies for better combat soldiers, aviation assets and more lethal weapons

We need to imbibe technology and provide modern weapons, equipment, ammunition, operational logistics and infrastructure to our army, said Bipin Rawat.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army is looking at and planning to induct future technologies applicable more than a decade from now to ensure that its troops become better high-tech combat machines and there are weapons systems with longer range and lethality. Emphasis is also being given on technology and to interlink it with human resources to secure military bases- a prime target of terrorists.

The developments were shared by the Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat here today. He also said ‘hollowness’, meaning shortcomings, in the army needs to be addressed if India is looking at a two front war. He explained that the Centre has given powers to the three services to address issues of hollowness.

He explained that the army wants to ensure technological revolution similar to what the other armies across the world are doing.

“We need to imbibe technology and provide modern weapons, equipment, ammunition, operational logistics and infrastructure to our army. We need to keep pace with emerging technology, meaning inducting newer weapons. We need to start looking at five to 10 years from now, what weapons systems we should induct into the armed forces,” he said.

He explained that in view of the continuing proxy war such as Left Wing Extremism and terrorism in India, it is imperative to empower and enable the security forces. “Soldiers on ground have to be provided with weapons to give them lethality and wherewithal to use minimal force in some situations,” he said.

Gen Rawat while commenting on terrorist attacks on military bases last year said the army was relying excessively on the human factor. “We found various conditions such as bad weather and human error like a sentry falling asleep. So there is a need to empower our troops with technology. What the adversary wants is for us to place more human resources. But we should not get into fort mentality, but imbibe technology,” he said.

Listing some of the equipment being procured for the troops, the army chief said an important requirement is protective gear. “Several casualties take place because of bullet injuries. We are looking at ballistic helmets. Today we are using patkas which only protects one’s forehead. We are also looking at better bulletproof jackets,” he explained.

The army is also looking for night vision devices, which is crucial for “indirect protection”, meaning the soldier who is using it is able to spot an enemy before being spotted.

But the army chief said the most important requirement is intelligence. “In addition to human resources we should also invest in technology that will help in getting actionable intelligence in operations to minimise casualties,” he said.

The army will also procure Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV). The army currently has infantry fighting vehicles- the BMPs.

The army is also looking at Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV), which will be replacements for the T-72 tanks. The T-72 had first come into service in the army in 1979. The other tanks with the army is the Arjun and T-90s.

“We will enable them with new missile systems, which are available with our adversaries,” said Gen Rawat.

The army currently has two regiments of Arjun tanks. The officer said more orders are being placed to DRDO. “But these tanks are heavy, we are looking at it being lighter,” he said.

In regard to the artillery guns, the US Ultra Light Howitzer is being procured and now the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun (ATAG) is under trials.

“The emphasis is on ensuring that we get weapons systems with better range, accuracy and lethality,” he said.

The army chief also said aviation assets- Cheetah and Cheetak- need replacement and in their place Russian Kamov Ka-226T helicopters will come in. “We already have the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter which is also being weaponised,” he said.

 

[mavles ihctep]

Only talks,why they can't purchase critical infantry soldier equipments urgently

 

[DingDong]

Only talks,why they can't purchase critical infantry soldier equipments urgently

One DRDO guy I met in past said that the government doesn't care about the infantry because "supply is greater than demand". Harsh words, but true. The real issue is institutional apathy, particularly at top level bureaucracy.

 

[ezsasa]

Only talks,why they can't purchase critical infantry soldier equipments urgently

Name five critical equipment where RFI/RFP/tenders have not been issued, in your opinion.

 

[mavles ihctep]

Name five critical equipment where RFI/RFP/tenders have not been issued, in your opinion.

Name a five critical equipment army choosed from their rfi,rfp,tenders

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Only talks,why they can't purchase critical infantry soldier equipments urgently

Not more than 3-4 days years old, if some point is raised, it will be attempted too. Way better than previous regime where didn't even talk ever.

BTW, sorry I couldn't respond properly, thanks to your English.

 

[ezsasa]

Name a five critical equipment army choosed from their rfi,rfp,tenders

What is this????

Reverse psychology?

Either answer the question properly or stop imagining your opinions as facts.

Answer to your question, that info will not be in public domain. Unless we see them in pics / news articles / military exercises.

 

[ezsasa]

Only talks,why they can't purchase critical infantry soldier equipments urgently

Kyun bhai, no factual response? ? ?
...................

 

[Chinmoy]

Name five critical equipment where RFI/RFP/tenders have not been issued, in your opinion.

Wrong question. You should rather ask what five critical infantry equipment he is talking of.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Decommissioned Military Hardware – A Potential Diplomatic Asset for India

India’s efforts to increase its arms exports have, to date, met with limited success. This is not entirely surprising as India is an unknown quantity in arms manufacturing on the global scene, despite its robust domestic industry and the substantial production undertaken to date. It is noteworthy that the Republic of Korea (South Korea) has also made a serious foray into arms exports with much greater success in part because of the strategy it employed whereby decommissioned military equipment was donated to countries in South-East Asia and Latin America, refurbished and placed into service in the recipient countries. India could learn from this example as it has, in the recent past, decommissioned a number of items that could be gainfully be used as “gifts” to African and Latin American nations in order to forge greater ties and, possibly, influence in those countries.

South Korea made gifts of F-5A fighter aircraft to the Philippines, Chamsuri class Fast-Attack-Craft to the Philippines, Ghana, Bangladesh and Timor-Leste, and corvettes of the Dong-Hae and Pohang classes to Colombia and Peru respectively. In several of these countries, South Korea was able to follow-up such gifts with sales, such as FA-50 trainer/fighters to the Philippines, KT-1 trainers to Peru and a warship to Bangladesh.

South Korea is by no means the only country to employ such methods, with countries such as Israel, South Africa and the United States being notable examples. In the case of the former two, transfers of decommissioned equipment was usually for money, albeit at much discounted prices.

Israel has sold decommissioned 3 Sa’ar 4 class missile boats to Chile and 2 to Sri Lanka, as wells as 2 Sa’ar 4.5 class vessels to Mexico while surplus Dabur class vessels now serve with Argentina, Chile, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, captured, used and then decommissioned T-55 tanks, after overhaul and upgrade, were sold in their Ti-67 incarnation to Uruguay where they constitute the backbone of that country’s armoured strength.

Israel’s exports of combat aircraft included the IAI Nesher to Argentina and later, a small number of Kfirs C.2s to Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Ecuador. In more recent times, and despite their age (over 30 years – plus time in storage), Israel was able to sell upgraded Kfirs – now to C.10 standard – to Colombia and Ecuador after overhaul and refurbishment at a unit price of USD 20 million. These aircraft now form the backbone of the Colombian air combat strength and are an important part of Ecuador’s air force. South Africa has followed in a similar vein with sales of Atlas Cheetahs – aircraft heavily based on the Kfir – to Ecuador despite the fact that each airframe was over 22 years old at the time of sale.

The United States and the Netherlands also have a long history of supplying surplus hardware to the countries of Latin America with warships, coast guard patrol vessels, maritime reconnaissance and transport aircraft being among the principle items transferred or sold. The United States donated and/or sold significant numbers of F-5E fighter planes and Cessna A-37 attack aircraft to the countries of Central and South America but was, subsequently, unwilling to transfer any combat aircraft more modern than the F-5, except for a small number of F-16s to Venezuela and Chile. In addition, the Netherlands sold Chile a number of surplus F-16s between 2004-2008.

With Latin American armed forces now operating an eclectic mix of aircraft, tanks and ships decommissioned from their host countries, a similar situation can be found in Africa where large numbers of tanks from the former Soviet-bloc have entered service with armies in the region. Patrol boats have been transferred from Germany, France and the United States, as well as used combat aircraft and helicopters from Russia, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine (including 12 Su-30Ks formerly of the Indian Air Force to Angola). South Africa has sold a number of vintage Mirage F.1s (in service for some 30 years followed by a period in open storage) to Gabon and the Republic of Congo. Even Jordan has entered the fray with a sale of F-5Es to Kenya, which have subsequently seen extensive service during Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia.

In each of these cases, the sale or gift of arms has the potential of increasing the influence of the donor/vendor country in the recipient country. The disposal of decommissioned weapons in this way thus represents a low-cost, low-risk approach towards building influence and enhancing cooperation. It is an approach that India should seek to follow with more vigour.

India has made some tentative steps in this direction with gifts of OPVs to Sri Lanka, helicopters to Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and Mauritius, and, in more recent times, T-55 tanks and Mi-25 gunships to Afghanistan. However, it is suggested that India should follow the South Korean example and sell or donate surplus military hardware – and broaden the spectrum of equipment that it transfers to countries outside of its immediate neighbourhood with the intended aim of increasing its influence in those regions as well as laying the foundation for Indian arms exports in the future.

India has a variety of products that could find eager recipients provided India does not view the arrangements as transactional. If the aim is to increase influence, India may, like South Korea, have to make gifts of hardware or offer items at very low prices in order to achieve its objectives. In addition, India must be prepared to refurbish and overhaul items before transfer. While South Korea and the United States charge fees for this – as low as USD 1 for South Korean Chamsuri class fast-attack-craft and as high as USD 8.5 million for American Hamilton class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) – Israel charges as much as USD 20 million for overhauled, refurbished and upgraded Kfir fighter aircraft. India will have to gauge its potential recipients and set prices, if sales are to be made, accordingly.

The obvious question would be what can India offer? India’s decommissioned Vijayanta tanks could be offered either as operational combat vehicles or as a source of spares to the Nigerian army which still operates a force of similar Vickers Mark.3 battle tanks. Indian T-55s could be a welcome addition to tank forces in Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador where the T-55 is already in service. Indian Vikram class OPVs could serve as useful assets for countries in Oceania (such as Papua New Guinea), Latin America and Africa where they would join vessels of even older vintage. What is more, India has, over the decades, acquired sufficient expertise at the repair and overhaul of this equipment and possesses a stock of spares that would make the transfer of such military equipment a viable and sustainable option for the recipient countries. It should be noted that in the case of the T-55 and the OPVs, India has the respective types in service so the refurbishment and re-operationalising of decommissioned equipment of their type should not pose any undue difficulties for India.

The other item that India can consider transferring is combat aircraft. Over the last decade, India has decommissioned significant numbers of MiG-21(-FL, M/MF and -bis variants) and MiG-23 (-MF and -BN variants). While these aircraft have a somewhat unfortunate reputation owing to their high attrition rate in Indian service, the types have served with distinction in Cuba and may prove to be attractive to Central and South American air forces unable to acquire aircraft of the F-5 class. Once again, India’s experience of overhauling, refurbishing and maintaining these aircraft, combined with its stock of spares could make transfers of airworthy and refurbished aircraft a possibility. Even countries such as Ethiopia (an operator of the MiG-23BN) and Angola (an operator of the MiG-23MLD) may find additional MiG-23 airframes useful, if only for cannibalization. Needless to say, an assessment would need to be made of airworthy airframes and aircraft which could be brought back to operational status. This may result in relatively few aircraft being available for transfer – as the South Africans discovered when their force of 21 Mirage F.1 airframes was found to contain only a dozen recoverable examples. Nonetheless, it is an option that is worth exploring.

India has little use for its substantial stock of decommissioned military equipment. However, much of this equipment is still potent and would make a welcome addition to the arsenals of countries which cannot afford new systems. For India, at little cost and at minimal risk, the possibility exists to use the supply of decommissioned systems – tanks, ships, or aircraft – to break into the military markets of Latin America and Africa. If India takes the long-term view and supplies this equipment as either gifts or at discounted prices, it could reap dividends in the years ahead.

Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IDSA or of the Government of India.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Govt has made huge change in mindset in terms of defence procurement: Parrikar
Gandhinagar(Gujarat)[India], Jan. 12(ANI): Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said that the government has made a huge difference in mindset in terms of defence procurement.

[NK India] "There is a huge mindset difference between the earlier defence procurement and current one," Parrikar said while speaking at Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017.

While lauding the Gujarat's attitude towards progressiveness, Parrikar said, "Gujarat is known for its progressive and look forward approach.

Hailing the 'Design in India' policy he said, "Kind of policies we have, which is not just 'Make in India' but one step ahead of that is 'Design in India'," he added.

"'Design in India' policy will aim at building, enhancing and promoting designing capabilities of Indian manufacturers and entrepreneurs so that they can design products of world-class standards to compete with global counterparts and take advantage of 'Make in India' programme," he said at the inauguration of a three-day International Conference and Exhibition on Reinforced Plastics, 2017 (ICERP 2017), in Mumbai.

(ANI)

 

[Indx TechStyle]

3F Group glides into aerospace & defence; to invest ₹500 crore

Ashiis Goenka

The $600-million Hyderabad-based 3F Group has diversified into aerospace and defence. It plans to invest about ₹500 crore to set up assembly facilities for unmanned aerial systems and composite materials.

3F Advanced Systems, the newly created division, has teamed up with European major SaaB-UMS to showcase the UMS Skeldar V-200 VTOL (vertical take-off and launch) remotely piloted aerial systems, at the Benguluru Aero Show next month.

Ashiis Goenka, MD of 3F Advanced Systems, said: “As fourth generation entrepreneurs, we have forayed into the aerospace and defence sector and chosen to work on unmanned aerial systems useful for surveillance in defence and civil applications.”

“After finalising our engagements with the European companies, we are looking at setting up an assembly/manufacturing base in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. We plan to invest about ₹500 crore in the aerospace sector over the next five years and the funding will be through internal accruals and debt,” he told BusinessLine.

Backward integration

Recalling that the group has been in the oil manufacturing business for the past five decades, he said: “We have efficiently implemented backward integration projects extending up to the farm sector, commodity trading and biogas plants. We understand the long-term cycle of business and are willing to tap the latent potential of the aerospace sector.”

3F has tied up with Saab-UMS and an Israeli company for composite materials used in defence applications.

“We are in the process of identifying sites to set up a manufacturing unit, which will enable us to integrate the aerial system and thereafter focus on after-sales service,” said Goenka. “Apart from being an integrator, we will gradually develop a supply chain in India for support services.”

Since 1962, the 3F Group has set up several manufacturing units in India and abroad and has a joint venture with Fuji of Japan to set up a food processing unit near Hyderabad, said Goenka, who holds a degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University. “These tie-ups with European OEMs will provide the right platform for our manufacturing,” he said.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

MSMEs eye larger pie in aerospace, defence post Vibrant Gujarat Summit

Ahmedabad , Jan 13 (PTI): Post the state government policy and the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, MSMEs eye larger pie in aerospace and defence sector through component supply to the likes of Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce, among others.

MSMEs are upbeat especially in the wake of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed during the summit that would lead to further opportunities in the aerospace and defence component manufacturing. For instance, several companies based of Gujarat, especially Saurashtra region who already supply precision components to aircraft manufacturers as well as defence and space agencies including ISRO are anticipating a rise in business by anywhere between 25 per cent and 40 per cent in the next 2-4 years.

“With the likes of Airbus and Boeing signing MoUs in Gujarat, there is now an increased scope for precision component suppliers like us. We anticipate double-digit growth in business opportunities since the foreign OEMs are already familiar with India-based component manufacturers, even MSMEs,” said Ashok Surelia, managing director of Surelia Wire-Cut Pvt Ltd..

The defence and aerospace sector has seen at least over Rs 10,000 crore worth of MoUs being signed during VGGS. Among these, Reliance Defence and Deepak Fertilizer signed MoUs worth Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 3,000 crore for manufacturing set-ups in the state. On the other hand, Rajkot-based Jaivel Aerospace signed a MoU with Boeing for setting up a defence specific training centre under the Skill India program.

“Amidst growing opportunities in the defence and aerospace sector, there will be need for trained manpower as well in future. The MoU has been signed keeping this requirement in mind,” said Praveen Koti, head-business development of Jaivel Aerospace Ltd..

The component manufacturers are also upbeat over union minister of defence Manohar Parrikar hinting at a possibility of government company setting up a unit in Gujarat that could also bring business for the former.

While stating that around 20 companies have been granted licenses in defence manufacturing units in Gujarat, Parrikar also said that the minister would later visit the state to discuss possibilities of a defence PSU’s foray here.

 

[Chinmoy]

India evolving as global hub in defence manufacturing: Parrikar

http://www.smetimes.in/smetimes/news/top-stories/2017/Jan/17/india-defence-manufacturing32598.html

 

[Indx TechStyle]

BrahMos Aerospace bags orders worth Rs 300 crore

Image used for representative purpose.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Limited (BATL), which was declared a sick company, will be out of the woods in 1-2 years, said its CEO and MD Sudhir Kumar Mishra. Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is BATL's parent company.

BATL has received production orders worth Rs 300 crore from ISRO, DRDO and European agencies, Mishra said adding that the company has made profits in the past three years and that it was on a growth trajectory.

"The concerns of BATL staff are displaced as investments to BATL have been continuing. The company has been working to wipe off its accumulated loss of Rs 23.4 crore, he added.

"The country's current defence procurement policy is geared for system integration and for BATL, it is an opportunity to undertake system designs for weapons development. The BATL is on a growth path and I will give the credit for it to the company staff," he said.

Hassles over the land acquisition for the Rs 1,000-crore Missile Integration Complex (MIC) at Muttathara has been sorted out and the BATL has partially acquired 4.5 acres. The Air Force has committed to part with remaining 3.5 acres for the project, BATL officials said.

Among the orders received, was one from DRDO's arm-Bangalore-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), for the production of aerospace engines. The project is worth Rs 10 crore.

Commander (Rtd) Vinod Sankar, the general manager of BATL said the company has received 130 orders from space and defence establishments. Its sales plan this year was worth more than Rs 60 crore, he added.

Last year, BATL made Rs 1 crore profit compared to the Rs 75 lakh it made in the previous year.