Indian Army Signs Contract With Private Sector

Indian Army Signs Contract With Private Sector

Why in news :

• Indian Army signs first contract with private sector aimed at ‘Atmanirbhar Defence’ sector
• In a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector, the Indian Army  signed its first contract worth Rs 96 crore with Anadron Systems Pvt Ltd under Make-II for Maneuverable Expendable Aerial Target.

About the contract :

• A significant step towards AtmanirbharDefence The first success story of Make-II Projects Indian Army has signed the first contract under Make-II for Maneuverable Expendable Aerial Target with M/s Anadron Systems Pvt Ltd worth Rs96 Cr, for Army Air Defence and Indian Air Force.
• In the first project to be finalised under the industry-funded Make in India scheme of the defence ministry, an Odisha-based company has signed a contract to supply expendable aerial targets to the Army and Air Force, with officials acknowledging it as a critical landmark that will pave the way for more such opportunities.
• The contract to supply 125 of the Manoeuvrable Expendable Aerial Targets (MEAT) and associated equipment, under the Make in India II category – which is meant for res .. for research and development projects funded by the industry with an indigenous content of over 50% – was signed this week.
• This category was introduced as a major step towards engaging the industry in 2016.
• It is the first contract under Make II.
• Efforts are being made to drive industry-led research and development in the defence sector
• The contract has been signed with Gopalpur, Odisha-based company Anadrone Systems Private Ltd..
  While the value of the contract at ₹96 crore is low when compared to typical defence contracts, the competition saw the Odisha company pitching its product against defence giant Larsen and Toubro.
• The Shikra MEAT system being manufactured by the company is a localised version of the Banshee Jet 40 system that has earlier been imported by the armed forces.
• The Shikra target solution was the only system able to demonstrate its ability to meet or exceed all of the required operational and performance requirements of the Indian Army and Anadrone was selected as a single source vendor.
• at least 50% of the product supplied would have indigenous content.
• The company has till now supplied over 600 aerial targets from its Odisha factory in partnership with a UK firm. The Shikra is an aerial target for air defence weapons.

About Indian army:

• The Indian Armyis the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces.
• The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army.
• Its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star general.
• It is founded on 26 February 1950.
• Headquarters : New Delhi.
• Chief Of Army Staff – General Manoj Mukund Naravane.