Godrej eyes military hardware biz
The group also supplies equipment for the nuclear sector, both civilian and military.
By PTI |
MUMBAI: The $ 1.7 billion Godrej group plans to give a major push to its military equipment supply business, even as the government moves toward creating a level-playing field to private sector in manufacturing defence hardware.
"We are already in nuclear and space technology and... now plan to vigorously pursue the defence business where we scent immense potential," Group Chairman Adi Godrej told media.
Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd is already a supplier of airframe sections for the Brahmos missile, besides equipment for satellite launch vehicles built by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The group also supplies equipment for the nuclear sector, both civilian and military and equipment for refineries.
The group, whose revenues in 2006-07 touched USD 1.7 billion dollar, expects huge earnings from the nuclear business once the Indo-US civil nuclear deal is cleared.
Plans to pursue the defence supply business comes days after the government shortlisted 13 private firms for granting the status of Rakshya Udyog Ratna.
The list was handed over to Defence Minister A K Antony by Probir Sengupta, the chairman of the government-appointed selection committee, on June 6.
Though it was not clear which firms made it to the list, such a status will pave the way for them to easily access foreign technology and collaboration to make sophisticated military hardware. It will also allow them to bid on par with state-run ordnance factories for military systems contracts.
Asked about the group's future plans, Godrej declined to give details, saying "it will not be appropriate for me to unveil the full plan as it is a sensitive matter."
"We are already in nuclear and space technology and... now plan to vigorously pursue the defence business where we scent immense potential," Group Chairman Adi Godrej told media.
Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd is already a supplier of airframe sections for the Brahmos missile, besides equipment for satellite launch vehicles built by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The group also supplies equipment for the nuclear sector, both civilian and military and equipment for refineries.
The group, whose revenues in 2006-07 touched USD 1.7 billion dollar, expects huge earnings from the nuclear business once the Indo-US civil nuclear deal is cleared.
Plans to pursue the defence supply business comes days after the government shortlisted 13 private firms for granting the status of Rakshya Udyog Ratna.
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The list was handed over to Defence Minister A K Antony by Probir Sengupta, the chairman of the government-appointed selection committee, on June 6.
Though it was not clear which firms made it to the list, such a status will pave the way for them to easily access foreign technology and collaboration to make sophisticated military hardware. It will also allow them to bid on par with state-run ordnance factories for military systems contracts.
Asked about the group's future plans, Godrej declined to give details, saying "it will not be appropriate for me to unveil the full plan as it is a sensitive matter."
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