Mahindra Defence wins Rs1,349.95-cr Indian Navy order for Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems
31 Aug 2021
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Mahindra Defence Systems Limited (MDS) has secured a major defence procurement order, worth Rs1,349.95 crore from the defence ministry for manufacturing Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Defence Suite (IADS) for the Indian Navy. Under the contract, Mahindra group’s defence arm will manufacture 14 IADSs for modern warships of the Indian Navy.
IADS is a high-end underwater equipment designed to detect and protect ships from underwater threats. The system uses latest technology to integrate the capabilities for detection of enemy submarines and torpedoes at extended ranges as well as diverting incoming torpedoes fired by enemy submarines. This will enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy.
The system can be operated from all sizes of warships - small, medium and large. The complex array of sensors in water undertakes surveillance and provides inputs for signal processing and analysis. The warship then employs methods to neutralise the underwater threats, says a Mahindra Defence release.
“It is the first major contract with the private sector meant for underwater detection and protection from threats. This contract once again epitomises the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative,” SP Shukla, chairman, Mahindra Defence Systems Limited, said.
This advanced technology system is the first of its kind being developed by an Indian company for Indian Navy. Mahindra Defence qualified by proving the capability of the system through comprehensive testing by the Indian MoD in actual operations at sea before being declared as winner on commercial bid.
The complex array of sensors in water undertakes surveillance, and provides inputs for signal processing and analysis, to enable necessary action, according to the statement issued by Mahindra Defence.
The company said the contract was awarded following competitive bids from Indian companies through open tender, wherein the systems fielded were put through detailed trials at sea to prove their capability. Mahindra Defence said that the company was qualified in the tender by proving the capability of the system through comprehensive testing by the Indian MoD in actual operations at sea. After the technical qualification, the company was declared the winner of the commercial bid.
The defence ministry said the contract with an Indian firm under the ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category of defence procurement is an important boost to India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission and provides a major fillip to the indigenous defence industry in technology development and production.
“The MoD has continued to demonstrate its resolve to augment the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government and the resolve of the country to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ in advance technologies with induction of multiple equipment through home-grown defence industry,” the ministry added.
Mahindra Defence Systems has a tie-up with UK based Ultra Electronics for manufacturing underwater warfare equipment for the Indian Navy.
