Aero India 2021: DRDO hands over licensing agreements for 14 technologies

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over licensing agreements for the transfer of technology (LAToT) for 14 indigenously developed technologies to 20 industries at the recently concluded Aero India 2021 event.

Glimpse of the Aero India-2021 biennial Air Show, at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, in Bengaluru. Credit: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.

The technologies are from the sectors of electronics, laser technology, armaments, aeronautics, sensors, combat vehicles and naval systems among others. The move is expected to facilitate defence production ventures.

At the Bandhan ceremony, held in the final day of the event, around 201 memorandum of understandings (MoU), product launches and technology transfers were concluded.

These included the signing of an MoU between state-owned aerospace and defence company Bharat Electronics (BEL) and a local firm Grene Robotics for the development of an air defence solution.

As agreed, BEL and Grene Robotics will jointly develop an Autonomous MANPAD Data Link (ADML) system, which will bring isolated man-portable air-defence system (MANPAD) operators into a networked environment.

Separately, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Rolls-Royce strengthened their partnership to expand the supply chain for civil and defence aerospace.

They also agreed to establish an authorised maintenance centre at HAL for Adour Mk871 engines, which power several aircraft.

Rolls-Royce Business Development and Future Programmes (Defence) executive vice-president Alex Zino said: “We are committed to co-develop future defence fechnology with India, in India, for India and the global market. In partnership, we will work to deliver economic benefit and achieve India’s vision of self-reliance in the defence sector.”

During Aero India 2021, HAL delivered three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk III to Indian Navy and two ALHs to Indian Coast Guard, as part of an earlier contract.

Additionally, a HAL-developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) secured Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) from the Indian Army.

Recently, HAL received a $6.57bn contract from the India Government to deliver 83 Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA).