Boosting Modi's Make in India initiative, HMT to deliver two defence components

AT A time when HMT Watches is facing closure following consecutive losses, another PSU HMT Machine Tools at Kalamassery is making rapid strides in the segment of defence production.
Giving a boost to...
Narendra Modi's ambitious 'Make in India' initiative, the PSU, which indigenised the directing gear, a ship-borne positioning mechanism for sonars developed by the defence lab, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), and delivered the first unit for fitment on an offshore patrol vessel by the Myanmar Navy, is all set to deliver two units this month.
While the second unit of the three meant for export to the Myanmar Navy will be delivered in a week’s time, a test unit for fitment on Indian Naval frigate INS Brahmaputra whose sonar system is being upgraded will also take place this month-end.
The PSU has augmented infrastructure for streamlining production of the directing gear.
The Indian naval order is an acid test for the PSU, on successful delivery of which they will be able to bag more orders.
The directing gear for the Indian Navy costs Rs. 4.2 crore while the contract for three directing gear units for the export variant of NPOL’s hull mounted sonar array (Humsa) is worth Rs. 16 crore.
“However, it is not the last stop for us. This is an area with a specific customer base and set of requirements. We are looking to diversify and have the capability to undertake all mechatronic and electro-machining work of ‘seaworthy’ systems. The only challenge is to master the use and engineering of special materials used in this arena. Once we are able to do that, we are ready for a big leap in the sector,” an offical was quoted as saying in a national daily.
The directing gear manufactured by HMT gets integrated into complete sonar systems rolled out by PSU Bharat Electronics based on NPOL’s design and development.
HMT founded in 1953, with state-of-art technology as its key strength acquired from world leaders in machine tools, offers a wide array of high technology machine tools solutions to cater every manufacturing requirement. HMT'‘s wide marketing network & six manufacturing units spread across the country meets the highest customer expectations.