Anand Mahindra elected chairman of Mahindra-BAE defence JV

Mahindra Group vice chairman Anand Mahindra was elected as chairman of Defence Land Systems India, a Mahindra and BAE Systems joint venture company.

The inaugural board meeting held here declared the joint venture company operational and also appointed BAE Systems' managing director international operating group Guy Griffiths as vice chairman of the joint venture's board.

Other board members confirmed at the meeting were Mahindra and Mahindra Limited's executive vice president VS Parthasarathy, Mahindra Defence Systems chief executive Brigadier (Retd) Khutub Hai, and BAE Systems Global Combat Systems managing director David Allott.

The executive officers of Defence Land Systems India were also appointed during the meeting.
    
Brigadier (Retd) Khutub Hai was appointed managing director and CEO, Arne Berglund as deputy CEO, and Anil Chugh as the CFO.

"Defence Land Systems India hits the ground running with existing products, business and facilities, as well as a strong experienced team.

The company has great potential and plans to become a leading player in the Indian defence industry," Brig Hai said on the occasion.

Defence Land Systems India's existing business includes products that are now part of the joint venture business such as the up-armoured Scorpio, the Axe, the Marksman and the Rakshak.
    
The first new product of the JV, the Mine Protected Vehicle India (MPVI), was successfully blast-tested and was launched at the DefExpo in February.

MPVI will be offered for induction in the police, paramilitary forces and the Army.
    
As well as expanding the existing vehicle business and increasing its capabilities, Defence Land Systems India will play an important role in the BAE Systems bids for a number of artillery programmes, such as FH77 B05 for the towed 155mm 52cal howitzer requirement.

"It is intended that the company will become a national centre of excellence for design, development, manufacture, final assembly, integration and test of artillery systems in support of the Indian Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan and upgrade programme for artillery," a press release issued here said.
    
Defence Land Systems India is a 74:26 joint venture between Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and BAE Systems.
    
Defence Land Systems India is headquartered in New Delhi with manufacturing at a purpose built facility South of Faridabad, just outside of Delhi.

The company is focused on the manufacture of up-armoured light vehicles, specialist military vehicles, mine protected vehicles, artillery systems and other selected land system weapons, support and upgrades.