M&M, BAE joint venture company board constituted

Bangalore, May 5: In its inaugural board meeting, Defence Land Systems India, a joint venture from Mahindra and BAE Systems, elected Mr Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, as chairman of the company board.

While Mr Guy Griffiths, Managing Director International Operating Group BAE Systems, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the joint venture"s board, Brigadier (Retd) Khutub Hai was appointed Managing Director and CEO, and Mr Anil Chugh is the CFO.

Other board members include Mr VS Parthasarathy,Executive Vice President, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., Brigadier (Retd) Khutub Hai, Chief Executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, Mr David Allott, Managing Director, Global Combat Systems, BAE Systems, the statement added.

“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," said Mr Hai.

Defence Land Systems India is a 74 per cent - 26 per cent joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and BAE Systems. The company's existing business the up-armoured Scorpio, the Axe, the Marksman and the Rakshak.

The joint venture's first product - the Mine Protected Vehicle India (MPVI), has been successfully blast tested and was launched at the DefExpo in Feb 2010.

MPVI will be offered for induction in the Police, paramilitary forces and the Indian Army."The first new product
of the JV, the Mine Protected Vehicle India (MPVI).

Besides the vehicle busiess, the joint venture company also aims at playing a key role in the BAE Systems bids for a number of artillery programmes, such as FH77 B05 for the towed 155mm 52cal howitzer requirement.

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