Mahindra announces two JVs at DefExpo 2012

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., one of India's leading business houses, announced two joint ventures at the DefExpo 2012 held in Delhi.

MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems
The company's MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of high tech defence systems for air, land, sea and space applications, will lead to the formation of a Joint Venture Company in India. The JV will develop and manufacture products such as Anti Torpedo Defence Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Advanced Armouring Solutions and remotely operated weapon stations for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV).

Simultaneously, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has been approached for the creation of a 74:26 company. Rafael will make investments in Mahindra's existing Naval Systems division in Pune which will also be the location of a production facility which will be set up to meet the long-term requirements of the JV company.

Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, said: "Our joint venture with Rafael signals our strategic entry into a wide range of high tech-defence solutions which will enable the Mahindra Group to become a leading defence systems integrator in India."

Brig. (Retd) KA Hai, chief executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, said: "This JV will enable Mahindra Defence Systems to further leverage its innovative solutions in the maritime domain, enhance its product offerings, and present it with new avenues for growth. We intend to further expand into air, land, and aerospace defence solutions."

Maj. Gen. (Retd) Ilan Biran, chairman, Rafael, said: "As part of our global strategy, we form alliances to develop military applications based on our proprietary technologies and in Mahindra we see a lot of synergy and opportunities for growth in new markets and especially in India which is a strategic market for us."

Vice admiral (Retd), Yadida Yaari, CEO, Rafael, said: "We see Mahindra as an ideal partner for expanding our business opportunities in India in sea, land and air domains. We have supported and will continue to support the Indian Ministry of Defence in gaining technological superiority and excellence.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of high tech defense systems for air, land, sea and space applications. Rafael was established as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense more than 60 years ago. Rafael's technology is embedded in almost all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) systems in operation today. The company has a special relationship with the IDF, developing products according to the soldiers' specific requirements in the field. Rafael is a steadily growing company with sales of $1.8 billion in 2011.

JV with Telephonics
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Telephonics Corp., a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide and a subsidiary of Griffon Corp., also announced the impending formation of a JVC, which will provide the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Civil sector with radar and surveillance systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) devices and communication systems. In addition, the JV intends to provide systems for Air Traffic Management services, Homeland Security and other emerging surveillance requirements.

The project envisages establishing a plant in India which would manufacture and service airborne radar systems that are already being supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and support airborne maritime surveillance systems for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The JV will license technology from Telephonics for use on a wide range of products that have both defence and civil applications.

Subsequent to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2011, the companies have been in the process of negotiating definitive agreements and approval has been sought from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of the Government of India (GoI) for the establishment of the JV in accordance with the current defence sector Foreign Direct Investment regulations of the GOI. The approval for this is expected soon.

Backed by strong R&D, Telephonics has developed a state-of-the-art three channel IFF MK-XII system which has the capability to integrate with civil/military aircraft and ground or sea based IFF systems. Telephonics' experience with respect to these systems in other countries will provide a platform for the JV to meet the emerging Indian customised civil/military requirements of a National IFF Program. Telephonics has also developed secure communication systems which may be deployed on a variety of ground and airborne systems.

The Mobile Surveillance System (MSS) and Advanced Radar Surveillance System (ARSS) are rapid deployment ground surveillance systems which can detect human and vehicular movement both in the day and the night. Through networking, a central command and control system can effectively watch a large area for vehicular and human movement. Nearly 4000 of these systems are already being used by 10 countries for their homeland security applications.

The JV will be the first in India to manufacture air borne and maritime radars utilizing licensed technology. Nearly 100 per cent indigenous capability is expected to be achieved in the near future. The JV will also be strategically poised to develop future technologies for civil and military applications.

Telephonics has an established presence in the Indian defence and civil markets. For example, Telephonics supplies RDR-1400 weather avoidance radar systems for helicopters being built in Bangalore, India. It is also contracted to supply Boeing with APS - 143C (V) 3 Multi-Mode Radars (MMR) for India's P-8i Maritime Surveillance aircraft, and is responsible for installation of a sophisticated intercommunication system for the C-17 Globemaster contracted for by the Indian Air Force.

Telephonics specializes in aircraft intercommunication systems, wireless communication systems, radars, identification friend or foe products, integrated security systems, air traffic management systems, aerospace electronics and threat analysis and management. Telephonics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon headquartered in New York, N.Y. Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries.