Mumbai, July 06th, 2017. Alpha Design Technologies announced the inking of an agreement with Elbit Security Systems Ltd (ELSEC), Israel for expansion of the existing JVC ‘Alpha-Elsec Defence & Aerospace Systems Pvt Ltd’. The agreement was inked as part of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel this week.

The inking of this agreement enhances the scope of operation of the JVC into niche technological areas such as new generation thermal imaging equipment’s, state-of-art fire control systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) under the mini, medium sized UAV category, in addition to night vision devices, laser range finders, laser pointers, reflex sights, amongst the others.

The two companies have agreed that this expansion would forge a technology based partnership with emphasis on the ‘MAKE-IN-INDIA’ initiative by setting up ultra-modern facilities for design, development and manufacture of the above.

On his part, Elad Aharonson, Executive Vice President and General Manager – ELBIT – ISTAR Division, said, “together with Alpha Design, we have successfully completed two major contracts for the upgradation of armoured vehicles – thermal imaging sighting kit – 969 sets for the BMP-2 and Thermal Imaging based Fire Control Systems – 1000 sets for the T-72, including providing installation and life cycle support for these systems to the Indian Defence Forces. This success has given a big boost to our partnership and I also consider that the expanded JVC platform would combine the development capabilities accumulated within Elbit in the opto-electronic and the mini, medium sized UAV segment with Alpha Design’s advanced production and technological capabilities to offer the most advanced systems to the India’s Defence Forces.”

In his remarks, Gen Avi Mizrachi, Executive Vice President (Business Development) of Elbit Security Systems, said, “India has been a key market for us and the Make-in-India initiative requires that International Companies like Elbit should expand operations in India through strategic alliance with Indian Partners. Our successful association with our Indian Partner Alpha Design in the last few years has resulted in forging a strong technological and business partnership in the form of the JVC and we look forward to continued growth in India.”

Col. H. S. Shankar, VSM (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, Alpha Design Technologies, said, “The agreement entered today is a major milestone for a private sector company in the MSME segment to form a strategic partnership with one of the global leaders like Elbit. This JVC would combine the excellent technological capabilities of Elbit with the young and talented manpower resources of Alpha Design to form center of excellence in thermal imager technology. In addition to meeting the Indian defence market demands, the JVC’s focus would be to cater to the exports business opportunity of minimum 50%. This platform would bring FDI into the country and also generate employment for engineers, technologists, skilled technicians and other related staff functions.”

It is hoped that Ministry of Defence, Government of India would offer the necessary impetus, in promoting such JVCs in the MSME segment, under the “MAKE-IN-INDIA” initiative by providing an opportunity to be a part of the Indian defence business.