With a broad portfolio of technologically advanced solutions, ITT Defence Solutions International, Inc is eyeing the Indian defence market. During the inauguration of the company’s Indian office in New Delhi, Lt General (Retd) David F. Melcher, President, ITT Defense & Information Solutions and Major General (Retd) Bruce K. Scott, President, Business Development, ITT Defense International spoke to SP’s Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal and Senior Editor Lt. General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor about the company’s capabilities to defend Indian soldiers, citizens and borders.

SP’s: What are the different solutions you have on offer for India?

ITT: India is a nation on the rise, and we are dedicated to taking its defence infrastructure and air traffic management systems further into the 21st century. In the electronic systems, we have integrated electronic warfare systems, networked communication systems, force protection systems, radar systems, integrated structures, reconnaissance and surveillance systems and undersea systems. In Geospatial systems, we have tactical night vision systems, space-based satellite imaging, airborne situational awareness, weather and climate monitoring, positioning navigation and timing systems and image exploration software. In the information systems, we have large system operation and maintenance expertise, networked information sharing systems, engineering and professional services, next generation air traffic control systems, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive detection technologies and cyber.

In our battlefield management systems, we have Spearnet handheld, high-capacity data radio for Indian soldiers and border guards. We also have Generation 3 night vision goggles and nonoculars for India’s armed forces, border patrols and state police. For the military, we have satellite-based, next generation air traffic management system for India’s military and civilian aviation authorities.

SP’s: Elaborate on ITTs capabilities in the US.

ITT: We have different capabilities at ITT Defence International; data management, intelligence and information fusion and collection, etc. We also work for our National Aeronautics Space (NASA) in the US.

SP’s: How about the export licensing? Has that been taken care of in terms of supplies to India?

ITT: It is a great question and it is individual. We have a law for the armed forces in the US, like you have a law here. In that law there are specific guidelines on regulating international arms regulations. There are international traffic regulations. Within that it signifies that with specific military equipment, radios, night vision, the US government licence must be required for exporters. This is not a policy of the US but the law of the US. Getting a licence has become quick now, though much more has to be done, I am very optimistic. India needs the best technology now, and we at ITT can make it possible.

SP’s: There has been an impression among the forces that whether it is Europe or the US, it is very difficult to get the top end technology. Is that correct?

ITT: There are certain technologies that are deemed as protective either because lots of effort is needed to produce that technology. The US government or allies would not want the technology go far off. Then there is liberalisation of such technologies and in fact our own secretary defence said we want to provide more technologies and capabilities to certain partners. So I think it is happening. Every nation would love to have leaps forward in terms of technological advancement. We will do that in cognisance with our government.

SP’s: Are you looking for partnership in India?

ITT: Yes

SP’s: Is 26 per cent FDI fixed by the government apt?

ITT: It is a relatively low number because it will lead to minority partnership. There will be certain conditions that will make sense and certain that will not.

Now to talk about offset like Indian offset, some time ago, there was no banking of offset credits, now there is a two year period, that’s not long enough. It takes more than two years to get it done. Like if we cannot encourage a company say ITT to invest, by the time the contract is done all that credit is exhausted. We all protect our technologies, so it goes both ways. Our technology is leaps and bounds ahead of technologies in other countries.

SP’s: Now looking at the systems, like the radio for soldiers, are you giving it as a system or a standalone radio?

ITT: We are offering this radio as a part of our larger consolation of products and services that would be made available either uniquely from ITT or in partnership with an Indian firm. We are providing a whole range of services and that’s the way we approach, not just the point product. The whole system has been integrated, from tactical communications to potential satellite communications.

SP’s: Are you capable of integrating the different products?

ITT: ITT has the system integration capability.

SP’s: System integration is a major area. And then there are the licensing issues too.

ITT: We realise that there are a lot of things that we have to work out.

SP’s: But how would you integrate the old equipment with the new equipment? Different generation of equipment have to get integrated.

ITT: We have been doing the same thing in our own country in the US through the tactical communications system and integrated tactical system.

Our soldier radio is now coming up as a new generation radio. We have all generation signals, all generation radios, which we have integrated.

SP’s: Which programme is your bigger thrust in India? Is it night vision, is it communication or is it future soldier or BMS?

ITT: In the military side, probably night vision has the biggest potential, in non-military; air traffic management programme has the biggest potential. Night vision is something which is needed not only by the military, but also the homeland security forces. We believe there is a great necessity for these night vision equipment for internal security in India.

SP’s: Can you elaborate on the MoUs in India.

ITT: We have had words with many PSUs, private companies, and ordnance factories. They are all ongoing discussions. We have general MoUs. We want to make sure that we are with the best PSUs, have the strongest team with the best of engineers, and that is what we are doing, traveling to ordnance factories, finding out which would suit us, we are going to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc.

SP’s: Where do you see your immediate business opportunities?

ITT: There is great opportunity in night vision. Similarly, with BMS, there is also an opportunity to move ahead with air traffic management in civil aviation.

SP’s: Are you also working with the air force?

ITT: Yes, in the F-18, wherein we have our electronic warfare switches, the electronic camera measures, and for the new aircraft we are also doing significant composites. We have information solution and management.

SP’s: Information overload is also a problem.

ITT: It is and so we tend to focus on user defined outputs. We select from a huge data, which is easy and accessible from the user point of view.

SP’s: What kind of solutions does ITT have to counter terrorist activities like Naxalism in India?

ITT: We do not have any specific solutions for terrorism. All that we have is capabilities that can help the authorities. Our specific surveillance, our intelligence will help the forces. Effective communications, the ability to instantaneously find out, is there with the US military today. With night vision and surveillance, I think Indian officials will be in a position to figure what they need.

SP’s: Can you give a figure showing your market share?

ITT: We are selling in tens of millions of dollars and will be selling in hundreds of millions of dollars of capability tomorrow, if we can define the opportunities properly and appropriately for technology transformations.

Effective communications and intelligence will give you what you need. I am very optimistic about the defence industry relationship between India and the US.