Adani ties up with Elbit, Alpha for unmanned aircraft systems

Goa: Marking its formal entry into defence, Adani Group’s unit Aero Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd has signed a so-called statement of intent with Elbit-ISTAR of Israel and Indian company Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd to work together in the field of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

A statement of intent reflects the firm commitment of the companies.

Unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, are planes without a human pilot aboard.

Adani Aero Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd, with interests in design, technology development, technical collaboration and system integration services for aerospace and defence equipment and systems.

Under the agreement, the companies plan to set up a final assembly and integration line, including MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities by incorporating true transfer of technology for supporting the product range during its lifecycle.

In a statement, Adani Group said that this agreement is in line with the dream of Make in India for global requirements.

The country is now importing 60% of its defence requirements, while local defence production is at the heart of the Make In India programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in 2015, a year after he launched his government’s flagship campaign.

Elbit Systems Ltd is an international technology company engaged in a wide range of defence, homeland security and commercial programmes.

Alpha Design Technologies specializes in design, development and production of defence electronics and avionics equipment & systems, airframes, upgradation of cockpits, opto-electronics, thermal imager based fire control systems, etc.

Adani Group is the latest company to enter the defence market. Aero Defence Systems & Technologies unit had already filed an application to make helicopters.

Besides Adani Group, Anil Ambani-controlled Reliance Group is also a recent entrant in the defence sector.

Bharat Forge Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd, the Tata group, Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T), the Godrej Group and the Mahindra Group are fairly well entrenched in the business.