In a landmark event under the make in India scheme of the ministry of defense, Odisha-based Anadrone System has bagged the contract to supply advanced defense equipment to the Indian Army and Air Force.
The contract to supply 125 Manoeuvrable Expendable Aerial Targets (MEAT) and associated equipment worth INR 96 crores, under the Make in India II category, which is meant for research and development projects, funded by the industry with an indigenous content of over 50% was signed last week.
Notably, companies like Larsen and Toubro also pitched for this deal. The Shikra MEAT system being manufactured by the company is a localized version of the Banshee Jet 40 system that has earlier been imported by the armed forces.
The company has collaborated with a UK-based defense tech company to build systems for air defense training from simple, low-performance model airplane targets through maneuverable targets to sophisticated high subsonic and supersonic systems. It has an R&D and manufacturing unit located strategically at the TATA Steel SEZ, Gopalpur.
Attending the occasion, Brig (Retd) LC Patnaik said that such initiatives will attract more MSMEs to participate in the nation’s defense projects which ultimately reduce the import burden and promote the indigenous defense manufacturing sector of India.
Thanking the state for encouraging the entrepreneurs and MSMEs, Mr. Anant Bhalotia, MD of the company appreciated the robust Single window portal – GO SWIFT and stressed the future expansions of the company in Odisha.
Reportedly, Anadrone systems provided key inputs in drafting the Odisha Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy 2018 and was also a part of Odisha’s delegation to the UK in 2016.
Such endeavors will further boost the Make in Odisha program of the state, which is keen on promoting Defence, Aerospace, and other new-age industries.
