Mahindra Announces Two Joint Ventures at DefExpo 2012 in India

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Mahindra & Mahindra Limited

Mar 30, 2012, 10:07 ET

NEW DELHI, India, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

From left: Brig (RETD) K.A. Hai Chief Executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, Mr. Anand Mahindra,Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., V Admiral (Retd) Yedida Yaari, CEO, Rafael, Maj Gen (Retd.) Ilan Biran Chairman, Rafael & Giora Katz- VP GM land & Naval Systems Sector, Rafael

From left: Brig (Retd) KA Hai, Chief Executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra Group & Mr. Joe Battaglia, CEO, Telephonics Corporation

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., one of India's leading business houses, today announced two Joint Ventures at the DefExpo 2012 held in Delhi.

     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110726/471752 )

MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems

The company's MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of high tech defence systems for air, land, sea and space applications, will lead to the formation of a Joint Venture Company in India. The JV will develop and manufacture products such as Anti Torpedo Defence Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Advanced Armouring Solutions and remotely operated weapon stations for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV).

Simultaneously, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has been approached for the creation of a 74:26 company.

Rafael will make investments in Mahindra's existing Naval Systems division in Pune which will also be the location of a production facility which will be set up to meet the long-term requirements of the JV company.

Speaking on this MoU, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said: "Our Joint venture with Rafael signals our strategic entry into a wide range of high tech-defence solutions which will enable the Mahindra Group to become a leading defence systems integrator in India."

Brig (Retd) KA Hai, Chief Executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, said "This JV will enable Mahindra Defence Systems to further leverage its innovative solutions in the maritime domain, enhance its product offerings, and present it with new avenues for growth. We intend to further expand into air, land, and aerospace defence solutions."

Maj Gen (Retd) Ilan Biran, Chairman, Rafael said: "As part of our global strategy, we form alliances to develop military applications based on our proprietary technologies and in Mahindra we see a lot of synergy and opportunities for growth in new markets and especially in India which is a strategic market for us."

Vice Admiral (Retd), Yadida Yaari, CEO, Rafael said "We see Mahindra as an ideal partner for expanding our business opportunities in India in sea, land and air domains. We have supported and will continue to support the Indian Ministry of Defence in gaining technological superiority and excellence.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of high tech defense systems for air, land, sea and space applications. Rafael was established as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense more than 60 years ago. Rafael's technology is embedded in almost all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) systems in operation today. The company has a special relationship with the IDF, developing products according to the soldiers' specific requirements in the field. Rafael is a steadily growing company with sales of US$ 1.8 Billion in 2011.

Joint Venture with Telephonics Corporation

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Telephonics Corporation, a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide and a subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), also announced the  impending formation of  a Joint Venture (JV) Company which will provide the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Civil sector with radar and surveillance systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) devices and communication systems.  In addition, the JV intends to provide systems for Air Traffic Management services, Homeland Security and other emerging surveillance requirements.

The project envisages establishing a plant in India which would manufacture and service airborne radar systems that are already being supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and support airborne maritime surveillance systems for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The JV will license technology from Telephonics for use on a wide range of products that have both defence and civil applications.

Subsequent to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") in October 2011, the companies have been in the process of negotiating definitive agreements and approval has been sought from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of the Government of India (GoI) for the establishment of the JV in accordance with the current defence sector Foreign Direct Investment regulations of the GOI. The approval for this is expected soon.

Backed by strong R&D, Telephonics has developed a state-of-the-art three channel IFF MK-XII system which has the capability to integrate with civil/military aircraft and ground or sea based IFF systems. Telephonics' experience with respect to these systems in other countries will provide a platform for the JV to meet the emerging Indian customised civil/military requirements of a National IFF Program. Telephonics has also developed secure communication systems which may be deployed on a variety of ground and airborne systems.

The Mobile Surveillance System (MSS) and Advanced Radar Surveillance System (ARSS) are rapid deployment ground surveillance systems which can detect human and vehicular movement both in the day and the night. Through networking, a central command and control system can effectively watch a large area for vehicular and human movement. Nearly 4000 of these systems are already being used by 10 countries for their homeland security applications.

The JV will be the first in India to manufacture air borne and maritime radars utilizing licensed technology. Nearly 100 per cent indigenous capability is expected to be achieved in the near future. The JV will also be strategically poised to develop future technologies for civil and military applications.

Telephonics has an established presence in the Indian defence and civil markets. For example, Telephonics supplies RDR-1400 weather avoidance radar systems for helicopters being built in Bangalore, India. It is also contracted to supply Boeing with APS - 143C (V) 3 Multi-Mode Radars (MMR) for India's P-8i Maritime Surveillance aircraft, and is responsible for installation of a sophisticated intercommunication system for the C-17 Globemaster contracted for by the Indian Air Force.  

Telephonics specializes in aircraft intercommunication systems, wireless communication systems, radars, identification friend or foe products, integrated security systems, air traffic management systems, aerospace electronics and threat analysis and management. Telephonics Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation headquartered in New York, N.Y. Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries.

About Griffon Corporation

Griffon Corporation (the "Company" or "Griffon"), is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. Griffon also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capitaL to further diversify itself.

Griffon currently conducts its operations through Ames True Temper ("ATT), Clopay Building Products ("CBP"), Telephonics Corporation ("Telephonics") and Clopay Plastic Products Company ("Plastics"). CBP and ATT comprise the Home & Building Products operating segment.

  • Home & Building Products is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and industrial garage doors to professional installing dealers and major home center retail chains, as well as a global provider of non-powered landscaping products that make work easier for homeowners and professionals.
  • Telephonics designs, develops and manufacturers high-technology, integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions for use in military and commercial markets worldwide.
  • Plastics is an international leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films used in a variety of hygienic, health-care and industrial applications.

For more information on Griffon and its operating subsidiaries, please see the Company's website at http://www.giffoncorp.com

About The Mahindra Group

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology, Defence systems, vacation ownership, rural and semi-urban financial services, etc. Mahindra has a significant and growing presence amongst others, in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, automotive components, consulting services, defence, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.

A US $ 14.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 137,000 people in over 100 countries. In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. For four years in a row, Mahindra has featured in the Forbes Asia's Fab 50 List of the 50 best publicly traded companies in the Asia-Pacific regions. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India's Top 500 Companies.

In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow. Its flagship company Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is the only Indian automobile manufacturer to feature in the top 10 list of the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in India - 2010, created by the Carbon Disclosure (CDP).  In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea's SsangYong Motor Company.


For further information please contact:
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Ms. Roma Balwani                                          
Senior VP & Group Head - Corporate Communications                            
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd                                            
Phone: (+91-22)-24901441                                        
Email:[email protected]            

Rafael Advanced Defence Systems

Mr. Amit Zimmer
Vice President, Corporate Spokesman
Rafael, Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
Phone: +972-3-5724710
Email: [email protected]

Telephonics Corporation

Ms. Carrie Petrocca
Director - Corporate Communications, Telephonics Corporation
Phone: +1-631-755-7583
Fax: +1-631-755-7200
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Mahindra & Mahindra Limited

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