With eye on exports, PSUs line up battery of items

BENGALURU: From quick response surface-to-air-missiles to anti-sub technologies, and from tank electronics to life support system, desi defence firms have lined up an impressive collection of items for the 12th edition of Aero India, with a special focus on exports.
At a time when all defence public sector undertakings (PSUs) are under pressure to expand their customer base — which so far has largely been the ministry of defence (MoD) and the armed forces — companies are looking to woo neighbouring and private firms from other foreign countries.
Showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship initiative, Make in India, BEML is bringing the Akash missiles and Quick Response Surface-to-Air-Missiles (QRSAMs) along with bomb pallets and aviation hoses, among other things, while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), as reported by TOI earlier, will showcase a bevy of aircraft, including helicopters.
The PSUs have also been consciously working towards increasing their export share. Neelakantan Iyer, an independent director on HAL’s board said the PSU has, in the past year or so, been working on reducing its dependence on the Indian Air Force.
“You will see a different HAL in the next five to seven years. The board has been formulating a roadmap that will see the company increase its global footprint. The immediate aim is to increase the share of exports,” he had told TOI.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), which has been faring better than HAL in terms of performance, will display products from its military communication, radar systems, missile and naval systems stable. “We will also showcase the electronic warfare (EW) systems, avionics, anti-submarine warfare systems, tank electronics, gun and weapon system, among other things,” BEL said. The highlight from BEL would also be its capabilities in the UAV segment.
Although BEL is not looking at UAV manufacturing, it has been focusing on making control systems for which it is looking for partners.
“While there will be a clear focus on export, given that Aero India is a huge platform, we are also looking at consolidating the market we have to expand our vendor and partner base and explore new areas of business,” a BEL spokesperson said.
From the desi stable will also be life support system technologies, software-defined radio, weapon locating radars, border surveillance and detection of low-flying targets (BFSR-XR) et al.
Experts have been pointing out that the need of the hour for defence PSUs, who are too dependent on the government, is to look at a market outside. Air Marshal (retd) M Matheswaran, a former deputy chief of integrated defence staff (DCIDS), told TOI: “The entire game must change. It is important for two reasons: One, it will make them more accountable, and two, it will enhance the quality of products to global standards which will also help our own armed forces.”