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India’s ambitious programme to design and develop the homegrown unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used in surveillance operations has prompted private sector players to take part in the project. The involvement of players like Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Godrej & Boyce and Tata Advanced Systems Limited in a defence aircraft project will be a first of its kind.
Aeronautical Development and Engineering (ADE), part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently developing the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) aircraft, named Rustom.
Currently, ADE is testing a technology demonstrator of Rustom. Once a vendor is selected, both of them will design an enhanced version of Rustom, which is meant to replace the Israeli Heron drones currently in use.
All the three major private players submitted their bids in May 2009 to the DRDO for the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) aircraft, named Rustom, which will be designed to fly at least 250 kilometres at a stretch. Besides the private players, a joint bid has been made by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited for the same. A technical evaluation will be made before the DRDO chooses a partner for the project.
In 2002, defence equipment production was opened to private sector and up to 26% foreign direct investment in such ventures was allowed. It may be noted that all the three bidders from the private sector, namely L&T, Godrej & Boyce and the Tata Group have dedicated divisions that supply parts to the country’s space and aerospace industry. Godrej & Boyce supplies the Vikas engines for India’s rockets, while the Tata group builds components for Hindustan Aeronautics, DRDO and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). L&T has not only built radars that are being used by the Indian Army but is also making military vessels.
ADE has indicated that the cost of producing one set of five Rustom vehicles with five sets of spares, payload and ground handling equipment would be around $50 million.The partner, once selected, will build the drone, test and certify it, and provide maintenance services. It will also work on converting Rustom into an unmanned combat aerial vehicle, in addition to developing future versions of the UAV.
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