EADS Defence & Security (DS) and Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Mumbai, are to join forces in the fields of defence technology. Subject to approval by the Indian Government the plan is for the formation of a joint venture company for defence electronics in India, based in Talegaon near Pune.
The proposed joint venture has the potential to become the leading Indian Electronics House for defence and security. The new company will aim at design, development, manufacturing and related services in the fields of electronic warfare, radar, military avionics and mobile systems for military applications.
The Indian defence and security market is growing fast and EADS intends to grow with it. Via this joint venture EADS plans to move beyond just providing high technology sales to India by creating an Indian industrial base with the development of a long-term partnership, including the transfer of technology wherever necessary.
The joint venture company will develop and manufacture indigenous solutions for military requirements of Indian customers as well as the world market. Thus, the Indian JV company will provide the armed forces with locally produced high tech equipment and assured life-time support.
A.M. Naik, chairman and managing director of L&T, said, "For over two decades, L&T has been a major supplier of critical systems to India's defence forces. These include a wide range of products like weapon launchers, naval systems, radar systems, etc. We welcome the formation of this joint venture that will create opportunities for development of state-of-the-art defence electronic products and systems for the Indian defence forces and for the rest of the world."
Dr. Stefan Zoller, CEO of EADS Defence & Security, added, "EADS DS is a high tech company driving the development of integrated system solutions for armed forces and civil security worldwide. We are proud of joining forces with one of India's biggest technology companies. Our joint venture is proof of our commitment to India."