Bharat Forge, Elbit Systems team for Indian market

Bharat Forge and Elbit Systems Land and C4I have announced that they will work together in a strategic cooperation arrangement to address the artillery and mortars systems requirements of the Indian market. The companies will establish a new Joint Venture Company (JVC) with the aim of providing solutions to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other potential Indian government customers.

The JCV will bring together Elbit Systems’ technology and system integration capabilities with Bharat Forge’s experience in the areas of design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and validation.

Artillery guns and mortars solutions to be offered by the new company will be based on Elbit Systems’ products such as the ATHOS 155/52 Towed Gun System, the ATMOS 155/52 Mounted Gun System and the upgraded 130 mm M46 Gun to a 155/45 Gun (KARAN).

Baba Kalyani, chairman and managing director of Bharat Forge, said: ‘The strategic cooperation between Elbit Systems and Bharat Forge, and specifically the JVC, will address Indian defence requirements with operationally proven systems from Elbit Systems that have been customised and adapted for Indian conditions and manufactured at the world class manufacturing facility for end-to–end solutions for artillery systems and armored vehicles upgrades  established by Bharat Forge recently in India.’

Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems’ executive vice president – president and CEO designee, added: 'We are proud to combine Bharat Forge’s systems integration and manufacturing expertise with Elbit Systems’ proven technology. We believe that offering innovative solutions, based on our combined vast operational experience and technological capabilities will position the JVC as a leading supplier to the Indian MoD and other potential Indian government customers.’