23 Feb 10. The 6th Defexpo held in New Delhi from February 15 to 18 saw participation of 650 companies from over 35 countries showcasing their weapon systems for Army and Naval applications. Major participants were from U.S., U.K, Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel Italy, Malaysia and South Africa.
Europe
The star exhibits from Europe were led by BAE Systems, Rheinmettal of Germany and Finmeccanica of Italy.
BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems displayed its guns which are in the running for the Indian Army including the FH77 B05 towed howitzer, and M777, ultra lightweight howitzer.
Andrew Gallagher, President BAE Systems India said:”BAE Systems’ commitment to the development of a long term domestic business in
India, with a full range of skills and capabilities, is unmatched. We firmly support the Indian Government’s aim of procuring 70% of defence equipment domestically and see the establishment of Defence Land
Systems India as a major contribution towards this objective.”
The BAE Systems FH77 B05 is bidding for the Indian Army requirement for towed 52cal 155mm howitzers. Trials with the India Army are due to start after Defexpo. The M777 ultra light weight howitzer is now in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process for a possible FMS purchase between the US and Indian Governments.
U.K.’s new tactical communications system, Falcon, was also on display. Falcon will enter service with the British Army and Royal Air
Force this year and is the world’s first tactical comms system based on an all IP (Internet Protocol) open architecture.
BAE Systems also showcased a whole range of products, including infantry fighting vehicles, high mobility vehicles, unmanned autonomous systems, protection equipment, and helmet mounted display technology.
Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica took part in DEFEXPO 2010 through its companies AgustaWestland, Alenia Aeronautica, DRS Technologies, SELEX Communications, SELEX Galileo, Oto Melara and WASS, presenting products, platforms and technological solutions in the field of helicopters, aeronautic, communications and radar systems, naval and land armaments and underwater systems.
In the helicopter sector, AgustaWestland has been present in India since 1970. Indian Navy operates a fleet of AgustaWestland Sea King helicopters and a growing number of AgustaWestland commercial helicopters are now performing corporate, VIP and offshore transport missions in India. .
AgustaWestland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian group Tata Sons to create a joint venture for the development of a final assembly line for the AW119 helicopter in India.
The aeronautics sector in India offers prospects for Alenia Aeronautica that is currently keeping a close eye on the requirements including tactical transport aircraft. A model of the C-27J was on display at the Finmeccanica stand.
SELEX Communications has a presence going back 20 years in India, where it supplies avionic, tactical and naval communications systems, either directly or in collaboration with Indian companies.
SELEX Galileo is also present in India, where it supplies the 2080C
Precision Approach Radar system to India’s Navy and Air Force. At
DEFEXPO, the company promoted its new model, PAR 2090 CM/CF, a ground controlled Precision Approach Radar. Last year, SELEX Galileo signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with BEL to explore business opportunities in the Electronic Warfare arena in the Indian market. SELEX Galileo is currently pursuing opportunities connected with the need to modernize existing platforms with next-generation sensor systems. Elettronica, a Finmeccanica affiliate, also showcased at Defexpo 2010.
Thales
Thales announced the launch of Vigile LW, a new, lightweight, naval Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM