Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems Inaugurates its State-of-the-Art Facility at Hyderabad
New Delhi: Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS), a Joint Venture between Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. of Israel, inaugurated their state-of-the-art facility at Hyderabad at the hands of Shri Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao – Hon’ble Minister for Industries & Commerce, IT, MAUD of Telangana, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Daniel Carmon – Hon’ble Ambassador of Israel to India and Dr. Patnam Mahendra Reddy – Hon’ble Minister for Transport of Telangana.
In line with the Government’s “Make in India” initiative, the Joint Venture will invest in high-end technology and advanced manufacturing techniques to design, develop and manufacture state-of-the-art weapon systems for the Indian Armed Forces. This green field Joint Venture envisages creation of significant direct and indirect employment opportunities, import substitution and foreign direct investments into the country.
KRAS would be India’s first private sector advanced defence sub-systems manufacturing entity. Spread across an area of 24,000 sq.ft., the facility will enable production of high-end technology systems for Indian Armed Forces. It will be engaged in development of a wide range of advanced capabilities like Command Control and Guidance, Electro-Optics, Remote Weapon Systems, Precision Guided Munitions and System Engineering for System Integration. The facility will also target to export products to other countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao – Hon’ble Minister for Industries & Commerce, IT, MAUD of Telangana said, “Under the Make in Telangana campaign and extremely proactive and pro-business policies of the government, Telangana has today become the go-to destination for Defence and Aerospace companies. Some of the marquee names in this sector have set up their units in our state. The fact that Kalyani group and Rafael have chosen to set up their Advanced Systems in Hyderabad is a strong testimonial to our efforts. I’m very glad that this Joint Venture will bring cutting-edge manufacturing to our state, and add to our premier position in the Defence and Aerospace sector.”
H.E. Mr. Daniel Carmon – Hon’ble Ambassador of Israel to India said, “Israel has joined hands with India in making the ‘Make in India’ vision a reality with joint ventures such as this. Now celebrating 25 years, ours is a Growing Partnership built on deep mutual trust, shared values and shared interests.”
Speaking on the inauguration ceremony, Baba N. Kalyani, Chairman, Kalyani Group said, “The path breaking visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister to Israel last month has reaffirmed the importance of bilateral defence cooperation between our two nations. This technology-based partnership is our endeavour to develop Advanced Defence Systems and Remote Weapon System capabilities within India and is a testament to this increasing co-operation between Israel and India in a strategic sector. We are committed to the Government’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and this Joint Venture manufacturing facility is a step in this direction.”
During the Inauguration Ceremony, Maj Gen (Ret) Yoav Har-Even, President & CEO, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. said: “Rafael has been increasingly looking at cooperation with India in the Defence and Aerospace arena. We are confident and eager to be a strategic partner in addressing India’s Defence modernisation needs. We have, without any hesitations, offered and provide our most advanced Defence Systems to India, with the willingness to transfer technology. Strategic cooperation between our two nations received a huge boost with the path breaking visit of PM Modi to Israel last month. Rafael is committed to ‘Make in India’ and this JV is a step in the same direction. The establishment of this facility is a sign of our commitment to ‘walk the talk’, in terms of partnering with Indian industry towards indigenous manufacture.”