Astra Rafael launches facility for tactical communication systems

Astra Rafael Communication System (ARC) on Tuesday launched its facility here to design, develop and manufacture state-of-the-art tactical communication systems for the Indian Armed forces.

ARC is a joint venture between Astra Microwave Pvt Ltd (AMPL) and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the facility at Hardware Technology Park on the city outskirts in the presence of Israel's Ambassador to India, Ron Malka.

The joint venture, set-up on a 51:49 per cent basis, is in line with the Centre's 'Make in India' initiative and will invest in high-end technology and advanced production techniques, ARC said.

ARC would soon be India's first private sector company to manufacture cutting-edge Software Defined Radios in multiple variants at its facility spread across an area of over 20,000 square feet.

It will also be involved in the development and manufacture of a wide range of other advanced capabilities, with the aim of opening new export markets.

"Our cooperation with India is strategic. The inauguration of the facility here today is yet another proof of Rafael's implementation of India's Prime Minister's 'Make in India' strategy and policy and of our ongoing and uncompromising support for the needs and requirements of the Indian armed forces," said Rafael President and CEO, Maj. Gen (Ret.) Yoav Har-Even.

"ARC is a company which is starting into the business of revolutionising the communication domain in the defence environment. Currently we have ongoing orders for providing state-of-the-art Software Defined Radios to the Indian Air Force," said ARC COO Brig Ravi Hariharan.

He said they intend to work with all the players in this strategic sphere, both public and private sector to create a great environment for defence electronics.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is one of Israel's largest defense companies with an annual revenues of over $2.5 billion in 2018.

AMPL is a 27-year-old public listed company with headquarters in Hyderabad, focused on radio frequency and microwave electronics business.

( With inputs from IANS )