MI2Watch: System changes in MoD must for Make in India success, says Mohan Reddy

Hyderabad, Feb 12: Much before Prime Minister Narendra Modi shaped the Make in India campaign module, Cyient Limited, an engineering, data analytics, networks and operations solutions company, headquartered in Hyderabad, had probably gone some distance in realizing his dreams.

With 35 per cent of the revenue already coming from aerospace engineering, Cyient has set its eye to become a leader in aircraft engine systems and sub-systems.

In an exclusive interview to OneIndia, during a recent visit to Cyient facilities in Hyderabad, B V R Mohan Reddy, Founder and Executive Chairman, said the company has the confidence of designing an aircraft engine in future.

"We have participated in the fuselage design (Boeing) and embedded system (Airbus). Cyient has contributed immensely for Pratt & Whitney Pure Power engine. Our contribution is around 22 per cent of the global engineering effort," says Reddy, who is also the Vice Chairman of NASSCOM.

The Pure Power engine improves fuel burn by 16 per cent and slashes aircraft noise footprints by up to 75 per cent. It also cuts carbon emissions by over 3,000 metric tones.

In the next 5-7 years, Cyient hopes to graduate from services to systems to solutions - following its unique S3 model.

DPP needs change

Reddy said that Cyient is keen to do business with Indian defence companies with more opportunities now arising out of the Make in India concept.

"Cyient has the capability to partner with government-owned defence companies in India. But we need better systems in place to inspire the private sector. We need to rationalize the process we have. The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) needs change," Reddy said.

He said the private industry should also be made a player while scripting new chapters in the DPP.

"The government must identify companies based on their proven strengths and give them bigger role in putting vibrant systems. In aerospace you have a long-term vision. It is an industry that will last for long time. Cooperation between public and private sector should increase," says Reddy.

He said Make in India will remain as a dream if the systems in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) won't change.

"We have made representations to the government and have expressed our concerns to MoD as well. Make in India is an inspiring idea, but it should be backed by inspiring rules at MoD," adds Reddy.

He said his vision is to make India a digitally-sound nation. "Digital India is my dream. It must have good connectivity ensuring broadband availability to common man; content in the form of e-governance, e-health and e-judiciary and literacy through various innovative teaching modes," Reddy said.

Cyient Factometer

• Founded in 1991 as Infotech Enterprises with the goal of providing engineering services to global markets
• Rebranded as Cyient in May 2014
• Three simple words that describe our unique approach of working with clients: Designing Tomorrow Together
• FY2013-14 revenue: USD363.3 million (Rs 22,064 million).
• 57% revenue from North America, 28% from Europe and Middle East, and 15% from Asia Pacific.
• 35% of revenue from aerospace engineering
• 290+ clients; 26 Fortune 500 clients
• 38 global locations
• 12500+ employees globally; 21+ nationalities
• Recognized by Zinnov consistently as a ‘leader' across a range of engineering service categories since 2011

[Make in India Watch [MI2Watch] is a series on OneIndia focusing on the aerospace and defence might of India's private and domestic industries. It will also aim at capturing the voices of leaders spearheading various projects.]

(The writer is a seasoned aerospace and defence journalist in India. He is the Consultant Editor (Defence) with OneIndia. He tweets @writetake.)