Enhancing Firepower Through Private Sector
Geopolitics|August 2018

By placing private arms manufacturers at the heart of its mission to transform India into an industrial power, the Modi government is trying to usher in a new era for the country’s defence industry.

Rakesh Krishnan Simha
Enhancing Firepower Through Private Sector

In 2011, long before ‘Make in India’ became a popular buzzword in the defence industry, Mahindra Aerospace acquired Australian light aircraft manufacturer Gippsland Aeronautics for $20 million, becoming the first – and still only – Indian company that is able to make an entire aircraft.

It took just two years for Mahindra to leverage the technologies absorbed from the Gippsland deal and create something big. In 2013, the company inaugurated a 25,000 square metre Bengaluru facility, equipped with a suite of sheet-metal, surface-treatment and assembly capabilities to meet the requirements of the global aerospace industry. Today, Mahindra assembles eight- and 10-seater aircraft in Australia, with most of the parts manufactured in India.

Mahindra’s big-ticket investment is aimed at becoming a global defence major. From components, to small aircraft, these are the stages the company is passing through to eventually producing a 200 seater aircraft. The company’s CEO Arvind Mehra told Flight Global magazine, “As a pure component manufacturer, you can never be a tier-one supplier, only tier three or four. But if you reach assemblies or aerostructures quickly, then you become an integral part of aircraft manufacturers' supply chain.”

Time for a rethink

Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Geopolitics.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Geopolitics.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GEOPOLITICSSe alt
NEW MANTRA FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Geopolitics

NEW MANTRA FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION

AMIT COWSHISH explains why the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which is one of the biggest spenders, needs to watch out for the latest mediation rules.

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2024
NEW WAVE TERRORISM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
Geopolitics

NEW WAVE TERRORISM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

KARAN KHARB argues that Pakistan's continued use of proxy war tactics against India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, poses a severe threat to national security. He advocates for a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in counter-terrorism efforts, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of military strategies and a coordinated national policy to address both external and internal security challenges effectively.

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2024
INDIAN NAVY'S PROJECT-751 - GERMAN TKMS LEADS SPANISH NAVANTIA AFTER FIELD TRIALS FOR AIP-SUBMARINE DEAL
Geopolitics

INDIAN NAVY'S PROJECT-751 - GERMAN TKMS LEADS SPANISH NAVANTIA AFTER FIELD TRIALS FOR AIP-SUBMARINE DEAL

German submarine-builder ThyssenKrupp (TKMS) and India's Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) have emerged as leaders in the Indian Navy's Project-751, which aims to build six submarines with Fuel Cell Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and Lithium-ion batteries. Following successful field trials, TKMS and MDL have gained an edge over competitors by demonstrating their proven AIP technology and advanced submarine design tailored to the Indian Navy's needs.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
VIKSIT BHARAT FROM A DREAM TO REALITY
Geopolitics

VIKSIT BHARAT FROM A DREAM TO REALITY

The article explores India's ascent as a global influencer, emphasising its strategic advancements in foreign policy, defence, and economic growth. It also highlights India's challenges in achieving sustainable development and strengthening internal security. Adopting a forward-looking approach, the article envisions India's rise as a major economic power and a key player in global stability, as outlined by LT. GEN. A.B. SHIVANE (RETD.).

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
WILL MODI APPLY THE LESSON LEARNT FROM KOREA IN UKRAINE?
Geopolitics

WILL MODI APPLY THE LESSON LEARNT FROM KOREA IN UKRAINE?

Speculation around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to Ukraine raises questions about India's role in mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine. Drawing from its experience during the Korean War, India may seek to leverage its strategic neutrality to foster dialogue in a conflict where China and Turkey have also shown interest, opines PRAKASH NANDA.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024
UGVS: THE NEXT DIMENSION OF WARFARE
Geopolitics

UGVS: THE NEXT DIMENSION OF WARFARE

With the rest of the world developing unmanned ground vehicles at a breakneck speed, it is time for India to join the bandwagon at the earliest.

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2024
SUPERSONIC DESTROYER
Geopolitics

SUPERSONIC DESTROYER

The BrahMos programme has filled a critical gap in the Indian armed forces' missile inventory and continues to attract strong export interest, writes ATUL CHANDRA.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2024
POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR
Geopolitics

POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR

India is facing many internal security threats, and it is time to reshape the strategic dynamics by modernising the police forces.

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2024
FUTURE FIGHTER
Geopolitics

FUTURE FIGHTER

FIA 24 provided important insights into the Global Combat Air Programme, which will redefine the future of air combat, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR.

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2024
FILLING THE GAP
Geopolitics

FILLING THE GAP

A new Medium Transport Aircraft is essential for the IAF, but it will have to compete with other pressing programmes fighting for limited budgetary resources, analyses ATUL CHANDRA.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2024