Tata Group to bid for $1bn army deal
Business Standard — February 16, 2008

The Tata Group today unveiled plans to form a partnership with European defence and aerospace consortium EADS to bid for the Indian Army's $1 billion advanced tactical communication system project.

This is the third defence-related project announced by the Tata Group in the past three days.

The other two are a joint venture with major aircraft manufacturer Boeing to produce aerospace components in India and a contract with US-based Sikorsky Helicopters to build cabins for S-92 choppers.

Tata Advanced Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Industries, and other group companies would join hands with EADS Defence and Security, US-based Raytheon and Precision Electronics to bid for the army's communication system.

The tactical communications system project, which is expected to be announced later this year, is aimed at replacing the current AREN system using the latest and most sophisticated technologies making it a fully mobile communication system.

The new system would put the Indian Army at par with the most sophisticated tactical mobile systems currently being developed for deployment around the globe.

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata said his group recognised the national importance of the project, and "with a view to leveraging the capabilities of several Tata companies, we propose to implement the project through a new umbrella company -- Tata Advanced Systems."