Big Scope for India-Italy Defence Industry Cooperation: Pallam Raju

The Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju has said that there is tremendous potential for defence cooperation with Italy. Addressing a roundtable on ‘Indo-Italian Defence Cooperation: Opportunities for Partnership and Co-Development’ here today, he said that with the reforms introduced in our Defence Offset Policy, the opportunities have grown manifold.

“Many Indian defence industries both in the public and private sector are having business interaction and cooperation with various Italian defence companies under FINMECCANICA and FINCANTIERI Groups. There is tremendous potential for enhancing the defence industry cooperation between the two sides, particularly in the context of defence offset policy, the scope of which has recently been increased to include “Civil Aviation” and “Internal Security” and “Training” within the ambit of defence products and services. This will give foreign OEMs wider range of opportunities for meeting their offset obligations,” he said.

Dr Pallam Raju said that there were huge opportunities available for defence industrial collaboration with India. He invited both domestic and foreign companies to forge new alliances and partnerships in the form of joint ventures for co-development and co-production in the defence sector.

“Our Defence Procurement Procedure is also being subjected to periodic review by the Government. The recent introduction of “Buy and Make (Indian)” category in the defence acquisition process has been designed to enhance participation by the Indian Industry for meeting our requirements for State-of-the-Art defence systems and platforms by getting into tie-ups with technology providers through mechanism of technology transfer and joint ventures,” said Dr Pallam Raju.

“Since the introduction of the offset clause in our Defence Procurement Procedures, offset contracts worth nearly Rs.15,000 crores (nearly 3.3 billion US dollars) have been concluded so far and, I am told, that the total value of the offset contracts which are in the pipeline is estimated to be over Rs.41,000 crores (nearly $10 bn)”, he added.

The minister said that the government had also laid stress on building on a strong indigenous industry base. “Recently, we have announced a Defence Production Policy which lays greater emphasis on self-reliance in defence. The Policy seeks to build up a strong indigenous industry base by proactively encouraging larger involvement of the Indian private sector. The policy also seeks to create an eco-system conducive for a private industry, particularly the Small and Medium Enterprises to play an active role in this expansion,” he said.

The Italian Minister for Economic Development Mr Paolo Romani and the Italian Ambassador to India Mr Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte also addressed the roundtable.

The two countries have signed an MOU on defence cooperation in November 1994, which was renewed in 2003. The eighth meeting of the India-Italy Joint Defence Committee was held in New Delhi in January last year.

Tata Industrial Services and Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG sign MoU

Tata Industrial Services and Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG sign a MoU for Industrial Cooperation & Offsets support in Defence and Security.

This cooperation will enable Tata Industrial Services and Diehl BGT Defence to engage and explore opportunities for Global supply solutions from India Inc., involving various non-Tata and Tata group companies, including support for Offsets.

This MoU will also allow Diehl BGT Defence to bring in relevant technology and products into India for cooperation with Indian Partners to participate in key domestic programs.

The following Heads of Business Units signed the MoU.

Mr. Kamesh Gupta is the Chief Operating Officer of Tata Industrial Services.

Mr. Christian Haun, Vice President International Sales

Defence Land Systems India Unveils Mine Protected Vehicle [MPVI] for Indian Armed Forces

Defence Land Systems India, a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and BAE Systems, that will soon be operational, today unveiled Mine Protected Vehicle India [MPVI] at DefExpo 2010, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The MPVI has been developed specifically to meet the needs of the Indian armed and paramilitary forces, and is based on world leading technology developed by BAE Systems. The vehicle will be built in India and will offer a high level of protection at a cost effective price.

Designed to serve the Indian security forces, Mine Protected Vehicle India features a large seating capacity (18 seats) capable of safely transporting a complete operational team of Army or Police forces involved in anti terrorist and anti Naxal operations. With enhanced protection technologies, the new vehicle provides the highest levels of crew protection available in India today. The high power to weight ratio and very high torque makes the vehicle suitable for Indian terrain, especially the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir and the rough topography of the Naxal dominated areas.

Brig (Retd) K A Hai, Chief Executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, while unveiling the vehicle said: "Designed to save the lives of our defence forces when they encounter mines and roadside bomb attacks, the Mine Protected Vehicle India will be our first new product offering from the joint venture company. Using technology proven in BAE Systems' RG series of vehicles and Mahindra's expert knowledge of Indian requirements and conditions, we are proud to provide the Indian defence sector with advanced yet affordable technology."

Andrew Gallagher, President, BAE Systems India, said: "We are extremely proud to unveil the joint venture's very first product which has been tailor made for the Indian armed forces. The MPVI is based on BAE Systems' three decades of protection experience that resulted in the highly successful RG 31 which has a proven track record and is currently in service with US, Canadian, UAE and a number of other forces including the United Nations."

The MPVI will be manufactured at the Defence Land Systems, India plant at Prithla near Faridabad.

Besides MPV, Vehicles Displayed at Defexpo 2010

Marksman – The Marksman is India's first armoured capsule based light bullet proof vehicle and is designed to provide protection to Para Military and Police forces against small arms fire and under belly grenade attacks. It can be used in counter terrorist and anti Naxal operations as well as in more conventional roles such as armed reconnaissance and convoy protection.

Up Armoured Scorpio – This 'discreetly protected' Scorpio is ideal for VIP protection as it offers both security and comfort. The Up-Armoured Scorpio is already being used by the Indian Armed Forces and other Security Forces of India as well as by foreign countries for VIP protection.

Mahindra Axe – The Mahindra Axe Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) is a lightweight, high mobility, high payload combat vehicle, designed for use by Special Forces and for varied operational requirements. It is an advanced technology vehicle with all wheels independent suspension giving high battlefield mobility to the Special Forces for surgical strikes.

BAE systems and Anjani in $35 million contract bid for polyethylene based ballistic materials

BAE Systems and Anjani Technoplast Ltd are joining forces to bring the latest, lightest and most cost-effective survivability products and personnel protection materials to India.

As part of the relationship, Anjani would manufacture protective equipment using Tensylon™— a versatile, high performance polyethylene ballistic material exclusively developed by BAE Systems to make survivability products, such as body armour and vehicle armour, even lighter and stronger.

Earlier this month, Anjani submitted bullet resistant jacket samples — using Tensylon ballistic material consolidated into vest inserts — to India’s Central Reserve Police Force for its current bid of 59,000 protective jackets. If Anjani is awarded the contract, the bullet resistant jackets will be made using BAE Systems’ Tensylon material at Anjani’s Greater Noida facility in India.

“Our partnership with Anjani is another solid example of BAE Systems long term commitment to India,” said Tony Russell, President, Security & Survivability, BAE Systems. “Bringing Tensylon ballistic tape to India is a critical first step forward for our two strong companies,” said Russell. “Together, with Anjani’s established production base in India; and BAE Systems’ global presence and continuous investment in survivability technologies, we are collectively leveraging our strengths, talents and resources to better protect India’s police forces and support India’s first responders.”

Initially, the relationship will focus on integrating Tensylon ballistic fibre and tape into various products for Indian defence and security forces. BAE Systems is also evaluating manufacturing other survivability systems and accessories in India, including the Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) System, which improves mission efficiency by allowing for customization in the field without compromising mobility or readiness.

Since 1994, Anjani, through its armouring division, has been committed to developing robust and modern day body armour solutions for India’s defence and security forces. “Our partnership with BAE Systems to process Tensylon tape in India will bring the latest technology in the field of armouring to India,” said R.K. Gupta, Managing Director of Anjani Technoplast. “It is a proven and cost-effective technology, and our independent tests have confirmed the superior performance of Tensylon ballistic tape,” added Gupta.

Tensylon, as a ballistic application, has already proven its combat effectiveness in Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Available as both a fibre and tape, its versatility and performance make the Tensylon product an ideal survivability solution for tracked and tactical wheeled vehicles, commercial armoured vehicles and individual protection equipment, such as helmets and body armour.