Elbit, Adani Inaugurate UAV Complex in India
The joint venture between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Elbit Systems aims to become a UAV supplier to the Indian armed forces. The facility would manufacture aerostructures for the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 UAVs
IsraelDefense
| 17/12/2018
Hermes 900 UAV (Photo: Elbit Systems)
Adani Group and Elbit Systems formally opened on Friday a $15-million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) complex in Hyderabad, India.
The 50,000 sq. ft. UAV complex is the first such manufacturing facility in India and the first outside Israel to manufacture the Hermes 900 medium altitude long endurance UAV.
The facility would begin operations by manufacturing complete carbon composite aerostructures for the Hermes 900 UAV of Elbit Systems used by customers in several countries. This would be followed by the manufacture of aerostructures for Hermes 450. The first aero-structure from the complex would roll out in March 2019.
While the initial focus would be on exports, the objective of the 51:49 joint venture (JV) between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Elbit Systems is to become UAV supplier to the Indian armed forces. Thus, the JV intends to ramp up for the assembly and integration of complete UAVs at the complex, something Elbit’s executive vice-president Elad Aharonson estimated could entail an investment of $50 million.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machilis, President and CEO, Elbit Systems, said, “This facility where the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 – the most advanced UAV systems in the world – will be manufactured is in line with the Indian government’s strategic plan and enables us to share our extensive experience in defense systems and benefit from the dedicated Indian workforce.”
Ashish Rajvanshi, head of Defence & Aerospace at Adani, said his company “aims to make India self-reliant in defense and aerospace systems and not depend on the US, Europe, Russia or any other nation. The first UAV could be rolled out next year. We anticipate to make four UAVs to start with, next year and will take this to 18 by 2020. We have already received a three-year supply order for UAVs.”
[Sources: The Hindu, Telangana Today]
The joint venture between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Elbit Systems aims to become a UAV supplier to the Indian armed forces. The facility would manufacture aerostructures for the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 UAVs
Hermes 900 UAV (Photo: Elbit Systems)
Adani Group and Elbit Systems formally opened on Friday a $15-million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) complex in Hyderabad, India.
The 50,000 sq. ft. UAV complex is the first such manufacturing facility in India and the first outside Israel to manufacture the Hermes 900 medium altitude long endurance UAV.
The facility would begin operations by manufacturing complete carbon composite aerostructures for the Hermes 900 UAV of Elbit Systems used by customers in several countries. This would be followed by the manufacture of aerostructures for Hermes 450. The first aero-structure from the complex would roll out in March 2019.
While the initial focus would be on exports, the objective of the 51:49 joint venture (JV) between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Elbit Systems is to become UAV supplier to the Indian armed forces. Thus, the JV intends to ramp up for the assembly and integration of complete UAVs at the complex, something Elbit’s executive vice-president Elad Aharonson estimated could entail an investment of $50 million.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machilis, President and CEO, Elbit Systems, said, “This facility where the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 – the most advanced UAV systems in the world – will be manufactured is in line with the Indian government’s strategic plan and enables us to share our extensive experience in defense systems and benefit from the dedicated Indian workforce.”
Ashish Rajvanshi, head of Defence & Aerospace at Adani, said his company “aims to make India self-reliant in defense and aerospace systems and not depend on the US, Europe, Russia or any other nation. The first UAV could be rolled out next year. We anticipate to make four UAVs to start with, next year and will take this to 18 by 2020. We have already received a three-year supply order for UAVs.”
[Sources: The Hindu, Telangana Today]
