BAE Systems to debut state-of-the-art tech

BAE Systems has been in India for six decades. One of the world’s leading defence, aerospace and security companies, with more than 80,000 employees across six continents, the company makes yet another big presence in this year’s Aero India.

Building on the success of its flagship programme in India on the Hawk advanced jet trainer, the company’s pavilion, this time around, emphasises the continued development of Hawk’s training, performance and operational capabilities. Marking the company’s continued progress in partnering BHEL in the country’s first ‘Make in India’ programme — Tactical Communications Systems —the pavilion will dedicate a section to the ‘Internet for the Battlespace’ or secure, deployable broadband voice, data and video communication systems.

“India is a key international market for BAE Systems and features as a top ten global defence market by accessibility. Powered by platforms such as Make in India, we should expect a noticeable reversal of ratios in indigenous manufacturing and imports, which currently stands at 30:70. We also believe more and platforms will be designed in India, for use by India, and for export. Naturally, this will require investments and innovation. As a founding partner of defence manufacturing in India, we will continue to invest and grow our footprint and our partnerships, both manufacturing and technology-based, across our capabilities in aerospace, defence and security,” BAE Systems Managing Director (India and South East Asia) John Brosnan told Deccan Herald.

Talking about the company’s enthusiasm for the Make in India campaign, Brosnan adds, “We are supporting negotiations between the Indian and the US Governments on the Foreign Military Sale of the M777 Ultra-Lightweight Howitzer and are hopeful of a conclusion this year. This will allow us to begin the process of ‘Make in India for M777’. We are also focused on our participation in the Make in India programmes of Tactical Communications Systems and Future Infantry Combat Vehicles.” 

An HAL partner for decades
The company has been a successful partner to India’s HAL, with which it has worked on many innovative projects over the last 60 years. “Our flagship programme in India is our partnership with HAL on the Hawk advanced jet trainer. With 123 Hawk ordered to date, India is the largest operator of the world’s most successful advanced jet training aircraft,” Brosnan said.

India ordered 66 aircraft in 2004, comprising supply of 24 Hawk aircraft in fly-away condition, and 42 aircraft built under licence by HAL, and a further 57 aircraft in 2010. BAE Systems has commenced contract negotiations with HAL on a potential order to supply products and services for the manufacture of 20 Hawk aircraft in support of the Indian Air Force’s requirement for its aerobatic team. 

In addition to supporting HAL to expedite the Hawk Batch 3 order soon, the company is looking forward to assist HAL deliver future tranches of the Hawk Aircraft as well as supporting the PSU (public sector unit) with the future development of the aircraft and mid-life upgrade, and in providing long-term support to the IAF and the Indian Navy fleet.

“In addition, BAeHAL, our engineering services joint venture company with HAL, is an important demonstration of our shared commitment to investing in in-country capabilities. Over the years, BAeHAL has progressed well and built up a strong portfolio of clients such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, British Airways and HAL itself. Very recently, the company won a contract to support Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in the structural design optimisation of the Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) UAV,” Brosnan said.

APKWS rocket makes debut
BAE Systems is all set to bring a host of innovations to Aero India 2015, hoping to find buyers in India’s burgeoning military market. Making its debut is the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket, developed as a highly cost-effective solution leveraging the military’s existing infrastructure and inventory, turning a standard unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rocket into a precision laser-guided rocket to give warfighters a low-cost surgical strike capability.

The company’s showcase will also include an array of equipment targeted towards India’s rapidly expanding military helicopter fleet. This includes the S3000 and Mission Adaptable Crew Seats (MACS) and the Striker helmet-mounted display (HMD). Now in service on the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Striker provides comfort, protection, and helmet stability for both fixed and rotary-wing platforms such as the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Apache and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).