BY : TOI



India’s defence sector is likely to see a lot of action in the coming months. It has been reliably learnt that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — Lakshya and Nishant — through joint ventures with private companies — Tata Power and Larsen and Toubro.

The state agency has initiated talks with both the companies for the design and development project, estimated to cost around Rs 1,000 crore, said company officials. DRDO is looking for private participation in the maintenance of the airborne early warning and control system projects.

The strategic electronics division of Tata Power and the heavy engineering division of L&T have shown interest in this project which is worth around Rs 1,200 crore. State-owned Bharat Electronics is also believed to be in the race for this project. DRDO plans to complete Lakshya and Nishant by 2012. The Indian Army has already agreed, in principle, to buy almost 100 UAVs.

“We have shown interest in these projects, but nothing has been finalised,” said L&T’s director and senior executive vice-president MV Kotwal. “The required volume and investment needed for the projects will have to be identified primarily. After that, DRDO will select their partners for these projects,” he added.

A Tata official said: “Given our decades of experience in working for DRDO and the armed forces, we are pursuing a number of business opportunities with them. Considering the sensitive nature of these technologies, it is not appropriate to disclose our areas of interest.”

DRDO is also considering a tie-up with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics for developing the components for UAVs. The Centre for Airborne Systems in Bangalore (CABS) is developing the airborne early warning system which involves a flying platform and mounted sensors like radars to provide battle-management functions.

CABS is also planning to build a radar system on an imported Embraer executive jet. The government has already sent out a request for proposal to Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

Defence minister AK Antony recently said that imported arms often do not meet local conditions. The government’s aim is to replicate the South Korean model in which the industrial arms base was developed by the private and public sectors, foreign investments and technology transfers. India’s import of military hardware and software is expected to touch $30 billion within the next five years.

“Tata’s SED had partnered the ministry of defence, the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and DRDO for the development and supply of sub-systems. SED has now evolved into a systems integrator for programs such as the Pinaka MBRL system, launchers for the Akash Air Force and Army Programs, Samyukta Electronic Warfare Program, Command and Control Systems for Air Defence and Naval Combat,” said the Tata official.

Separately, engineering giant L&T is also looking to bid for the $15-billion production contract for a submarine fleet for the Indian Navy. The company is also working on the hull fabrication of India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine and Pinaka rocket launchers. L&T is looking to tap international defence and aerospace markets in partnership with Boeing and EADS.