Pipavav Defence plans facility for missiles, torpedoes

Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering plans to set up its main system integration facility for manufacturing missiles and torpedoes in Hyderabad.

The company, which was the first private firm in India to get a licence to build warships, has already firmed up strategic partnerships for missile and torpedo making under the Ministry of Defence’s Make-and-Buy programme.

Naresh Kumar, Senior Advisor, said the company is looking at tie-ups with local firms in and around Hyderabad working in the sub-system design and manufacture of missile and torpedo parts.

“The vendor qualification will be undertaken jointly by Pipavav Defence and our technology partner,” he said at a Vendor Development Programme for MSE suppliers organised by the CII here.

Promoted by Nikhil Gandhi and Bhavesh Gandhi, the firm has entered into a strategic partnership with Saab in key technology areas, including combat management systems and missiles. It is currently bidding for 43 ships command management systems.

The private defence shipyard is also tying up with German firm Atlas Elektronik, to provide heavyweight torpedoes to the Indian Navy.

Atlas has worked with the Indian Navy for the last two decades, providing SUT torpedoes for the Navy’s Shishumar class of submarines. The company sees significant opportunities in the proposal of the Defence Ministry’s to acquire multiple helicopter platforms under the ‘Buy-and-Make Indian’ category.

This project envisages the first initiative by the government to build helicopters in the private sector, which will enable private firms manufacture, assemble and integrate critical aviation components. “This will provide opportunities for local companies to enter global supply chain,” Naresh Kumar said. Pipavav, which has already invested over $1.2 billion in the Indian defence industry, has orders worth $985 million from the Indian Navy, besides $282 million and $742 million in the offshore and commercial segments.

Last year, it won its first overseas order to build two offshore patrol vessels for a West African client valued at ₹1,192 crore.

The Hindu