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Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has become the first Indian private firm to license technology of a full-scale system from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for Lakshya, the pilotless target system that will be sold to the armed forces. L&T will get the technology for the digital version of Lakhsya, an unmanned drone that is used by pilots to target practice from the fighter planes.
The drone is designed by Aeronautical Development Agency, a DRDO unit in Bengaluru. "This is the first time that such a technologyhas been transferred. We will deliver the requirements to the IAF and work onimproving the product constantly," M V Kotwal, President (Heavy Engineering) and a board member of L&T told Business Standard.
He declined to discuss the financials in the engagement. L&T will be the primary supplier oft he upgraded digital version to the armed forces. The company can also export to friendly countries with prior government approval, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Ltdhad manufactured and supplied around 30 units of Lakshya to the armed forcesand DRDO. HAL could not comment immediately whether it would still be supplier,even as the government statement said the transfer to L&T was anon-exclusive production engagement.
