DLSI (A Mahindra- BAE Systems Company)

Indigenously manufactured vehicle with world class technical expertise. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 03, 2011 - Synopsis:

Designed to save the lives of our Defence forces in counter insurgency operations

Indigenously manufactured with world class technology at state of the art plant in Palwal, Faridabad

Developed specifically to meet the needs of the Indian armed and paramilitary forces

Made in India vehicle will offer a high level of protection at a cost effective price

DLSI to train drivers & mechanics to ensure optimum use

August 25, 2011, Delhi: Brig Khutub Hai, MD & CEO, Defence Land Systems India (DLSI), , today handed over the keys of the Company's first Mine Protected Vehicle India (MPV-I) to Mr. B B Pradhan, Additional Director General of Police, Jharkhand Police, commencing fulfillment of the State's order of six MPVIs. DLSI is a joint venture enterprise between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (74%) and global defence and security company BAE Systems PLC (26%).

Speaking on the occasion, Brig Hai said, "This is a proud moment for DLSI as this is the first such vehicle of its kind indigenously manufactured by the private sector industry being delivered to the Police Forces in the country. I assure the ADGP, Jharkhand Police that the MPV-I will meet all the stated parameters and we hope it will greatly enhance the operational effectiveness of the Police forces in Naxal affected areas of the country."

In order to ensure smooth induction of these vehicles, into the force, DLSI is also training a fleet of drivers and mechanics of the Jharkhand Police force to ensure optimum use of the vehicle. Moreover, DLSI will also provide complete life cycle support to the Police for these vehicles.

Built with technology and product capability transfer from BAE Systems in South Africa, world leader in this technology, the MPV-I, Brig. Hai said, "The vehicle combines excellent Ballistic and Blast Protection capabilities. Built on Ural Chassis it incorporates a 'V' shaped mono hull chassis which directs the force of the blast away from the occupants, has been tested to withstand the highest level of protection available in the country. In addition to the enhanced protection, the 6x6 vehicle has a powerful engine that ensures high mobility and can carry an entire operational team making it ideally suited for anti-terrorist and anti-Naxal operations. Brig Hai also informed that DLSI has commenced serial production of its Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV-I) at its state-of-the-art factory at Prithla, near Faridabad which has a present installed capacity of 100 MPV-I per annum.

About Defence Land Systems India (DLSI)

DLSI is a 74% - 26% joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, India and BAE Systems plc. DLSI is headquartered in New Delhi with manufacturing based at a purpose-built plant in Prithla located near Faridabad, just outside of Delhi. The joint venture company will create indigenous capability for R&D and manufacture of defence land systems products.

DLSI is one of the leaders in armouring of light vehicles in India. The company has supplied bullet resistant light vehicles to the Army, Para Military Forces and Central and State Police Forces. These vehicles have repeatedly been proven in combat during anti-terrorist / anti-naxal operations, saving precious lives of our gallant soldiers and policemen.

Focus

DLSI is focused towards design, develop and manufacture of :-

v Armoured and Mine Protected Vehicles

v High Mobility Vehicles

v Infantry Combat Vehicles

v Artillery Systems

Upgrade of in-service equipment of the Indian Army

Products

Combat Vehicles : Rakshak, Rakshak Plus, Marksman and MPVi
Discreet VIP Security : Scorpio Uparmoured
Troop Carrier: Armoured Bus
Riot Intervention Vehicle (RIV)

Prithla Plant, Faridabad

DLSI's manufacturing plant is a first-of-its-kind in the private defence manufacturing sector. Certified to ISO 9001-2008 standards, the Plant has been set up to carry out design, development and manufacture of specialized military vehicles, armouring of light and medium category vehicles, Mine Protected Vehicles and specialist vehicles for the Defence Forces, Para-Military Forces, Central and State Police Forces. The plant has an advanced facility for design, product development and prototyping of bespoke vehicle applications to suit each customer. It is today, the largest manufacturer of Light Armoured Vehicles in the organized private sector.

About Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M)

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), is a US $ 12.5 billion Indian multinational employing over 1, 17,000 people across the globe. The Group enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, tractors and information technology, with a significant and growing presence in defence, financial services, tourism, infrastructure development, trade and logistics. Mahindra is also one of the few Indian companies to receive an A+ GRI checked rating for its first Sustainability Report for the year 2007-08 and has also received the A+ GRI rating for the year 2008- 09. Forbes has ranked the Mahindra Group in its Top 200 list of the World's Most Reputable Companies and in the Top 10 list of Most Reputable Indian companies. M&M's long association with the Armed Forces and other Security forces stems from supply of light vehicles since 1947.

Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), a M&M Division, has been awarded the Frost and Sullivan Customer Value Enhancement Award 2009 in Land Combat Systems market.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems (www.baesystems.com) is a global defence and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and support services.

India is a Home Market for BAE Systems and the company is committed to a programme of investment and technology transfer in support of its strategy to become a major player in the Indian defence and security sector. Headquartered in the heart of New Delhi with offices in Bengaluru, BAE Systems India is building a long-term business in India in multiple sectors across the company's global capabilities with the express purpose of serving the armed and security forces as well as the local economy through the creation of high quality jobs and development of innovative technologies and system integration skills. The company has a number of ventures across the country: Defence Land Systems India, a land systems focused joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra; BAeHAL, a Bangalore based software engineering joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd established in 1993, and a partnership with Wipro in Hyderabad to design the next generation of commercial flight control and engine management systems.

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