Bangalore. 01 November 2016. “On my retirement from the Indian Army in 2003, it was but natural to continue my close association with Defence Forces and during 2004, to start this Company – Alpha Design Technologies Private Limited (ADTL) purely focused on R&D and manufacture of Defence & Avionics Equipment and Systems, ” said Col. H. S. Shankar, the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Alpha Design Technologies, in an exclusive interview to Aviation & Defence Universe(ADU). For someone who in March 2003, founded the Bengaluru based company which specialises in development and production of night vision thermal sights, electronic warfare equipment, tactical communications equipment, and major R&D projects such as software defined radios, missile seeker systems (in collaboration with Brahmos), IFF, Simulators, Airframes for SU-30 aircrafts, it has been a success story well knitted.
ADU. As a retired army officer how did the idea of setting up a business come to you?
Col.Shankar. Probably, the reason can be traced to my being an engineering graduate, before joining the Army and during Army Service (in the Corps of EME), I was associated with maintenance & repairs of Modern Defence Equipment and attended large number of User Trials and Evaluations on new equipment. I was awarded Vishishta Seva Medal (VSM) by President of India for providing Night-Firing capabilities to Tigercat Missiles during 1971 Operations with Pakistan with this background, I took premature retirement after 22 years of service in Army and joined Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), as Deputy General Manager. I served in BEL for 17 years, last 7 years being as Director, Research & Development (R&D). I was associated with development of large number of Defence Equipment and played a major role in developing and manufacture of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
ADU. What is your short term expansion plan meaning for the next five years?
Col.Shankar . ADTL is already a strong force as an MSME in Private Sector, focused purely on R&D and manufacture of Defence Equipment. We have achieved a Turnover of Rs. 401.03 Cr this year (starting with meager Rs. 25,000.00 12 years back). For next 5 years, we want to develop indigenously large number of Defence Equipment and to ensure, at least 50% of our turnover on Exports. We intend establishing large number of collaborations and Joint Ventures (JVCs) in niche technologies and to further give impetus to “Make in India” program. Sales turnover wise, we want to achieve minimum Rs. 2000.00 Cr within 5 years.
ADU. Elaborate on the manufacturing being done for Indian Air Force by you?
Col.Shankar. For IAF, we have already supplied Thermal Imager (TI) based Forward Air Controller (FAC) (40 No’s), 60 No’s Portable Light Weight Laser Target Designators (PLWLTD) and are taking part in prestigious projects such as Missile Launch Detection System (MILDS) for Mi-17 Helicopter, Upgradation of Mi-17 Helicopter, Pechora Upgrade, Solid State Trans Receive Unit (as part of Self Protection Jammers (SPJ) for MiG-29), Manufacture of Ailerons/Flaperons for Su-30 Mk-I fighter Aircraft, Radomes for AEWS, Missile and SPJ Pods Pylons for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Indigenous RF Seekers for BrahMos, Simulator Centres on BOM basis at Adampur Air Field (for MiG-29 Upgrade), Sarsawa & Bagdogra Air Fields (for Mi-17 V5 Helicopters), Interrogator Friend & FOE (IFF), etc. Hence a very close rapport has been established with IAF which will stand in good stead for the good of our Company and Customers.
ADU. Do you have a major foray into the Navy, keeping in mind the indigenization stride of Indian Navy?
Col.Shankar. For Navy, we are taking part in 1 KWHF Transmitter trials/evaluations. Also for Naval Helicopters, MILDS, Upgrades as being done for IAF / Navy have been offered. Indigenous RF Seeker for BrahMos developed by ADTL can be used for large number of Russian Missiles. Also IFF for Navy is a major project we are working on.
ADU. To fulfill the needs of the Indian Army what are your ongoing supplies to them and for which arms and equipment?
Col.Shankar. For Army and Para Military Forces, we have already supplied large number of Hand Held Thermal Imager Sights (HHTI), Ak-47 Rifle Sights, ULSB Mk-III, MILDS for Cheetah Helicopters of Army Aviation Corps. We have won Prestigious Projects like 113 No’s Laser Target Designators (LTD), BMP-II Simulators (57 No’s) and participated in Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Tactical Access Switch (TAS), Combat Net Radio CNR 900 M (AFV), Software Defined Radio (SDR), Thermal Imager Based Fire Control System (TIFCS) for 1000 No’s T-72 tanks, 969 No’s Thermal Imaging Sight Kit (TIK) for BMP Tank – both the later as major Offset Partner to Elbit/ELOP, Israel. ADTL has recently established manufacturing facilities for LORROS (Long Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance System) and CORAL CR Hand Held TI Sight for Exports and for Indian Army, IFF is another area of cooperation. Most of our supplies to Army is for Armoured Corps, Infantry, Signals, Army Aviation Corps, Air Defence Dte, Artillery and EME.
ADU. What is your export market?
Col.Shankar. Our exports are divided into 2 categories – one with respect to Offsets and secondly direct exports.Under Offsets, ADTL has supplied major portions of 1000 No’s TIFCS for T-72 tanks to Elbit and 969 No’s of TISK for BMPs. In addition, ADTL has signed Offset agreements on large number of on-going projects, such as 155 mm Towed Gun, Mi-17 Upgrade, AWACS, MRSAM, LORROP, etc., which are worth more than 0.5 Bn $. Under Direct Exports, we are supplying 600 No’s CNR 900 M (AFV) Radios to Elbit (and the same to Army for their AFVs), 6400 No’s Rifle Sight Kits for Exports to Australia (through Elbit), Advanced TIFCS to Elbit for their Customers, machined parts to IAI, PCBs and parts of MILDS to Airbus, etc.
ADU. What percentage of the revenue do you put into R&D?
Col.Shankar. ADTL spends 20% of its turnover per year on R&D and this pays very good dividends.
ADU. How are you matching steps with PM Modi’s Make in India Call?
