Piramal Systems, US defence tech firm in talks for joint venture

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Mumbai, June 7:

Piramal Systems and Technologies of the Ajay Piramal-led group is in talks for a joint venture deal with US-based surveillance technology developer Global Technical Systems.

Not content with picking up a 27.83 per cent stake in Bluebird Aero Systems, an Israel-based unmanned air systems manufacturer, for about Rs 40 crore ($7.2 million) in August 2012, Piramal Enterprises is keen to expand its business interests in the defence market.

According to officials in the know who spoke to Business Line on condition of anonymity, Piramal Systems plans to collaborate with Global Technical Systems for maritime and internal security, and an announcement is expected soon.
Airborne surveillance

What has piqued interest for the Indian conglomerate is the leading-edge airborne surveillance radar technology that Global Technical Systems has created.

Called the AN/APS-151 Radar, it is an-all weather, day and night indicator radar for maritime and land-based operations. It can be installed in fixed and rotary wing UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and manned aircraft.

The privately held American firm is into air and satellite operations, weapons technology, naval operations, military operations and technical intelligence.

Among its customer base, Global Technical Systems has US Government establishments such as the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, US Navy and the Department of Energy.

Incidentally, Piramal's deal with Bluebird Aero Systems is considered unique as the company is an initiative of former engineers of the Israel Defence Forces. Bluebird also has an agreement with Bangalore's Dynamatic Technologies for manufacturing and marketing mini and micro tactical, unmanned aerial vehicles in India.

The Piramal Group is also said to be seeking more investments in the Israeli aerospace and defence companies with a potential to do business in India.

Officials said the company is to use the partnership with the Israeli firm as a springboard for more investments.

Piramal Systems, US defence tech firm in talks for joint venture | Business Line

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Saab inks pact with Piramal Group for land electronic defence system

Mumbai, June 11:

Swedish defence company Saab has inked a strategic agreement with Piramal Systems and Technologies in the land electronic defence system.

The Land Electronic Defence System (LEDS) is designed to provide the military with situational awareness of laser emissions associated with anti-armour threats and allow a rapid countermeasure response. The Swedish company has teamed up with the Piramal Group to explore opportunities on the LEDS programme in India.

"The new partnership is to become a base for cooperation in a number of different business. Together with Piramal, we will work out product definition and way to market," said Lars-Olof Lindgren, Chairman, Saab India Technologies.

On other Indian partnerships, Lindgren told Business Line, the company has a long relation with the Mahindra Group, the Ordnance Factory Board, FFV Services and Bharat Electronics, and is keen to expand all these further.

"Our strategic play in India is fundamentally based on two premises: one, we see India as a home market and, second, for all major future programmes, we will collaborate with an Indian company either through a teaming agreement or through a joint venture," he said..

The Swedish company is keen to strengthen its presence in India through strategic investments. Pipavav Defence's recent sale of its 24.5 million shares to Saab, representing 3.4 per cent of the company's existing share capital, is just the start, maintains the Chairman.

Saab's recent investment in the Indian naval sector company Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering, which makes submarines and warships, is to help the Swedish company expand. Saab obtained Pipavav's shares for $37.6 million on May 27.

Saab inks pact with Piramal Groupfor land electronic defence system | Business Line