Vayu: What have been the most recent developments in the defence and space arena for Alpha Design Technologies (ADTL)?
HSS: We are pleased to announce that ADTL was declared as L1 for the important Pichoraradar/ Missile Upgrade Project which is to be completed in next 3 years. The MoD has also contracted ADTL for manufacture and supply of indigenously developed ULSB Mk III,the follow on order of 1545 in addition to the 2000 already supplied three years back.
ADTL has also made significant progress in major R&D projects, such as the BMP-2 Upgrade (with modified T-72 TIFCS), software-defined radios, both for IAF and Army, high capacity radio relay, tactical access switch, EW suites and others.
As for Space, ADTL-led consortium of engineers and technicians, under ISRO’s guidance, has assembled, integrated and tested (AIT) two 1.635 tonne Satellites (IRNSS 1 (h) and 1 (i) for the Indian GPS programme.
This same team have carried out AIT under ISRO’s guidance of the third and bigger 3.5 ton GSAT 30 Satellite (Communication Set),successfully launched on 17 January 2020.ADTL’s teams are now carrying out AIT under ISRO’s guidance with one such important satellite to be launched in April 2020.
The priority for ADTL was the Minister of State of Home launching the POLNET 2.0 (Pan India Police Network 2.0) at Delhi on 20 January 2020.ADTL continues to execute major hub and ground antenna receiving terminals at SAARC countries, (recently, India’s PM inaugurated ADTL’s 140 stations at Bhutan), the A&N Islands and elsewhere.
ADTL, as part of its Investor the Adani Group are part of the consortium with BEL and BEML for production of five PSLV launchers.
Vayu: Kindly elaborate on the role played by ADTL in the TejasLCA and Su-30 MKI programmes as well as their simulators and helicopter upgrades?
HSS: ADTL’s subsidiary Alpha-Tocolwas awarded the contract by HAL for manufacture and supply of LCA rear fuselage assemblies as also manufacture and assembly of jigs, nose box, pylons, RF assemblies for the LCA.
For the Su-30, Alpha-Tocol makes ailerons, flapperons, engine mounts, and other assemblies which have so far been fitted on 120 aircraft. Alpha-Tocolis also involved with overhaul of the Su-30 at HAL Nasik.
Vayu: What are the latest developments at the Alpha ELSEC Joint Venture?
HSS: Major breakthrough for A-Elsec JVC has been the establishment of facilities for UAVs (Sky Lark and Sky Striker) and the export of airframes for these to Israel. Alpha-Elsec’s EO manufacturing group also exports critical units for the COAPS (Commander’s Architectural Panoramic Sight) and for the TIFCS version to Thailand for upgradation of US-origin M-16 AFVs.
Vayu: Please elaborate on ADTL’s partnership with DRDO and the DPSUs.
HSS: Tremendous strides have been made both by DRDO and ADTL on major IFF projects forthe CABS (Interrogator, Transponder and Combined RF Seeker for MR-SAM, Missile Launch Detection System (MILDS) for the Mi-17 and Mi-17 1V Upgrade, EW sub-systems and others.
Vayu : As for exports, whatare the successes achieved by ADTL?
HSS: During 2018-19 and the current year (2019-20), ADTL’s sales turnover includes more than 85% in exports, which is the highest ratio in the Public/Private sector.
AFV VA – CNR (Dual Channel – 50 W-50 W)