Alpha Design to export transmitters to Israeli firm

Leading electronic devices maker for defence services, Alpha Design Technologies, on Thursday announced it had won a multi-million dollar deal to export 600 VHF communication devices to Israel-based Elbit Systems.

"We have been selected to provide high-end VHF (very high frequency) devices for a global Israeli firm (Elbit) on the basis of international specifications, said Alpha Chairman & Managing Director Colonel H.S. Shankar here.

As transmitters of very high frequency waves, the VHF devices are used for long range data communication for military operations and two-way long mobile radio systems for emergency services, air traffic and air navigation systems.

The city-based defence major plans to use the same devices for meeting the critical communication needs of the Indian Army.

"We look forward to supporting our armed forces and in securing the nation's borders, as effective communication has emerged as an essential element to winning battles in the era of modern warfare," Shankar told reporters at a preview of a range of company's products and technologies.

As a member of the defence industry delegation to forward areas recently, Shankar, who served the army for 22 years and participated in both 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan, found the need to enhance their operational capabilities with the latest opto-electronics and surveillance equipment.

"The VHF devices are very effective for all battle tanks, including T-90 and T-72. We have made the offer to the army to supply them for filling up the communication gaps. The evaluation of the devices is underway. We hope to sell 500-5,000 devices in 18 months from the commencement of production," Shankar said.

The value of the order from the army is expected to be Rs 800-1,000 crore.

"We have developed a series of upgraded indigenous equipment for the army, especially to Northern Command, to enhance its op-readiness," Shankar said on the occasion.

The $401-crore privately-held company has also a $80-million (Rs 536 crore) export order from Elbit-Elop for shipping an unspecified number of thermal imager fire control systems, which are used for day and night automatic firing capabilities on static and moving enemy tanks and other objects.

"As these high-tech systems are not available with the Indian Army, we will supply them to give them (army) an edge in defence capabilities," reiterated Shankar.

The 13-year-old firm has an healthy order book of Rs 9,113 crore ($1.4 billion), for supplying defence electronics equipment to the Indian armed forces and overseas firms.

"We specialise in night vision thermal sights, electronic warfare equipment and tactical communications equipment. We have major research and development projects in developing software for defence radios, missile seeker systems in collaboration with Brahmos, simulators and airframes for Sukhoi-MKI 30 fighters, added Shankar.

--IANS

fb/nir/vm