Following the news that the theme for DefExpo 2022 “Path to Pride” has set the stage for enhanced private sector participation in defense production in India;

Abhijit Apsingikar, Defense Analyst at GlobalData, offers his view:

“The development of Pinaka rockets by Solar Industries India marks a key step towards the successful indigenization of defense equipment in India. With domestic companies Garuda Aerospace and Paras Aerospace venturing into the development of low-observable Vajra UCAV system and Griffon MALE UCAV system, respectively, Indian private sector is playing a pivotal role in the indigenous development of C4ISR- intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platforms.

“After the successful sale of the Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch System (MRLS) to Armenia, the system has also attracted interest from Indonesia and Nigeria. These developments gain significance amidst India’s thrust to boost defense equipment exports.  With an extended 120 KM range guided rocket under development, Pinaka is anticipated to fill a role somewhat analogous to the US-made HIMARS rocket system. The Pinaka MRLS system along with Swathi Weapon Location Radar, loitering munitions and Brahmos missiles and Akash air defense system are anticipated to be a key platform offered for exports.

“Although still in conceptual design phase, Zorawar tank, co-developed by DRDO and L&T, was unveiled during the DefExpo 2022. The project is an example of successful public-private partnership and is anticipated to become a standard template for several high-profile projects over coming years.

“In addition, the HTT-40 trainer aircraft project unveiled at DefExpo 2022 offers valuable opportunities for private sector to participate as a part of the industrial supply chain. Like the upscaled UTTAM MK-2 AESA radar, the production for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft is likely to be handled by the public sector undertakings. The system is slated to be incorporated into LCA MK-1A and even MiG-29 UPG as well as integrated with Astra MK-a and Astra Mk-2 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles. With all these expected to be offered as a part of retrofit upgrade, they could form the bedrock of Indian defense exports over the next few years.

“However, these developments are not just limited to aerospace sector and given the need to avoid single-source dependency, the collaboration of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) to foray into the manufacture of Lithium Iron Phosphate – LiFePO4 batteries assumes significance as the technology is likely to play a pivotal role in enhancing the endurance of submarines and underwater weapon systems such as UUV and torpedoes. With private players such as L&T-Thermax and HBL Electronics Group working on developing fuel-cell AIP and LiFePO4 batteries for defense sector applications, the developments are likely to spearhead exports of Indian sub-systems.”