Tata-Israel Aerospace Industries ink memorandum of understanding

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Tata-Israel Aerospace Industries ink memorandum of understanding

Sandeep Dikshit
It is part of announcements made by foreign arms companies to meet their offset obligationsHope pact with IAI will aid defence industry growth: Ratan TataForeign defence firms announce JVs to meet offset obligation

NEW VENTURE:

Chairman of Tata Group Ratan Tata with President and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries Itshak Nissan after signing an MoU in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI:

The Tata Group on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for developing and manufacturing a wide range of defence products, including missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, radars, electronic warfare and security systems.The announcement was made at the ongoing Defexpo here. It is part of several announcements made by foreign arms companies for meeting their offset obligations.

Defence policy

Under the defence purchase policy, between 30 and 50 per cent of all imports over Rs. 300 crore had to be sourced from India. This has made the foreign companies having bagged or in line for big contracts to announce joint ventures or India based companies.“We believe the coming together of the Tatas and the IAI will positively impact the growth of defence industry in India and complement the efforts of our defence labs, ordnance factory board and defence public sector undertakings,” Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata said in a statement.The intention is to pass on the offset obligation of the IAI from future defence contracts to the joint venture.The other three defence pacts sealed by the Tata Group companies are with the Boeing, the helicopter company Sikorsky and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS).

Thales’ hope

European military systems integrator Thales said that having earlier bagged an order to fit fire control systems and night vision devices on T-90 tanks, it was hopeful of winning the contract for upgrading the T-72 tanks and armoured personnel carriers.Thales took assistance from a Byelorussian company to fit about 600 T-90 tanks. It was recently asked to work on over 300 more tanks.The France-based company will also set up an Indian company to look after maintenance and servicing issues for thermal imagers. It had been facing problems in executing its offset obligations and expects the initiative to smoothen the path.

DCNS subsidiary

A similar announcement was made by European Naval Defence Systems organisation DCNS. To be called DCNS India, it will be based in Mumbai and become operational in mid-2008.At a press briefing, senior DCNS official Xavier Marchal said the subsidiary would be oriented towards design, service to naval shipyards and sourcing of components and materials in Indian industry.The company would cater to current projects such as Scorpene submarines as well as for future programmes. Actively looking for partners in India for developing major equipments and subsystems, DCNS recently signed agreements with Kirloskar Oil Engines and Walchandnagar Industries.Making a pitch for the lucrative 126 fighter aircraft deal, EADS said its Eurofighter Typhoon would suit India’s tactical and strategic military requirements.Senior official Theodore Benien said the company received orders for over 700 aircraft from Germany, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia. Being produced by four countries simultaneously, the fighter is in contention with five other companies for the $10.2-billion contract.Public sector defence company Bharat Earth Movers Limited is showcasing a hi-tech combat vehicle for use in difficult terrains along the border.Termed ‘Command Post vehicle,’ it is a surveillance and reconnaissance system built on a Tatra (Czech) vehicle chassis. It is fitted with advanced electronics imaging, communication and gun mounting with global positioning system.The vehicle is designed to support mechanised infantry battalions by controlling the surveillance grid, collecting inputs from radars and disseminating it to users.

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/02/18/stories/2008021854801200.htm)


Thanks : Anees