Ashok Leyland in Defence and Aerospace

A MoU has been signed between ALDS and KMW Group of Germany which includes scope in development of artillery systems, combat systems, armoured wheeled vehicles, recovery vehicles, bridge laying systems and other similar products. ALDS is a newly formed arm of Ashok Leyland, a Hinduja Group flagship company, in which it owns a 26 per cent stake.

The German firm would provide technology on which a certain amount of customisation would be done and manufactured by ALDS in its existing facility. The details on developing the vehicles and manufacturing are to be finalised,

KMW, a 170-year-old company, has experience in the market for highly protected armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. It supplies systems like MBT Leopard 2, the artillery system PzH 2000 and the highly protected Dingo 2 to over 30 countries worldwide, in addition to related military wares.

Ashok Leyland, in February, 2010, had signed a principle of co-operation with the Paramount Group, South Africa, for the development and manufacture of mine protected vehicles in India. A vehicle under this tie up is currently in the developmental process.

Article: Ashok Leyland in Defence and Aerospace

Svipja Technologies

Dhanush, Prithvi-II Ballistic Missiles Test Fired

Two indigenously developed, nuclear-capable ballistic missiles -- Dhanush and Prithvi-II -- were fired of the Orissa coast on 11 Mar 2011. Both missiles have a strike range of 350 km.

'Dhanush' was flight tested from naval vessel INS SUVARNA in the Bay of Bengal, surface-to-surface 'Prithivi-II' ballistic missile was test-fired within an hour from Launch Complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-Sea.

"The flight tests were in text book fashion with the missiles reaching the target points with high accuracy," said ITR director S. P. Dash. "All the radars and electro-optical systems located along the coast tracked the missiles and monitored the parameters. The final event was witnessed from a ship located near the impact point," Dash said.

The missiles were launched by the Strategic Force Command as part of the regular user training exercise.

A successful demonstration of Ballistic Air Defence Missile System was held on 6 March, 2011, by DRDO. "The series of successful launches have boosted the morale of scientists and armed forces. The missiles have been integrated under the supervision of Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA)," a DRDO release said.

Courtesy: Press Trust of India(PTI)