L&T - Raytheon team up on T 72 tank upgrade

At DEFEXPO 2010 in New Delhi today, defence majors Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) and Raytheon Company announced teaming up in a L&T led proposal submitted this month to upgrade Indian Army T72 tanks.

Under the proposal, Raytheon will provide infrared imaging sights and electronics that will greatly improve target accuracy and increase overall system lethality on the battlefield for T72 tank battalions. Raytheon has provided 20,000 thermal sights in more than 15 countries.

''Through collaboration with L&T on this important proposal for the Indian Army, we have confirmed the very complementary capabilities leveraged across our companies'' said Fritz Treyz, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems India Operations.

''Together, we are exploring other opportunities to provide net-centric modernization defence solutions to meet growing demands in India and the global marketplace.''

Larsen & Toubro will provide fire control system, sensors, and will accomplish the final integration along with customer support. L&T brings in a track record of development of fire control systems across multiple weapon systems across land, naval and air defence applications.

''L&T is the only Indian company in the private sector that is leading the tank upgrade program. L&T and Raytheon combination has got what it takes to deliver on such an important program,'' said M V Kotwal, senior executive vice president and member of the board, L&T. ''This beginning would lead to new avenues in the Indian and global defence markets for both the partners working together.''

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defence, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass, Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

Larsen & Toubro is a $8.5 billion technology, engineering and construction group, with global operations. It is one of the largest and most respected companies in India's private sector.