New Delhi: Kanpur-based MKU Limited has executed a defence contract with Carabineros of Chile for 11,700 Ballistic Helmets with accessories worth US$7.2 million.
The Indian company which is the only one exporting to the LAC region is expected to sign a contract extension worth US$2.1 million shortly.
“The Kanpur based MKU has also signed an agreement for joint manufacturing with FAMAE, Chile for armour products and electro optic devices,” sources said.
In the first-ever, on February 23, the Chilean Navy Ship Janequeo, built by Indian company Larsen and Toubro Ltd., sailed into Valparaíso Harbour.
The Indian Mission in Chile tweeted that US$11.5 million contract for the twin-screw ‘Anchor Handling, Towing, Supply and Standby Vessel’ (AHTSSV), with hybrid propulsion and dynamic positioning system, was awarded to L&T by Chile in March 2020.
In March 2020, the Chilean Navy acquired an Anchor Handling Towing Supply and Standby Vessel (AHTSSV) ocean support vessel for a value of US$11.5 million.
As reported earlier, this unit was part of an order for the supply of four supply vessels (PSVs) and two vessels, which specialise in towing and anchoring of offshore platforms (AHTSSV) in 2013 by Halul Offshore Services Co. WLL (HOSC) from Qatar to L&T Shipbuilding.
In March 2020, the Pentagon issued a press statement regarding the contract for a Special Naval Vessel for Chile being given to India’s L&T. This is for the first time that an Indian company was awarded a contract by the US Department of Defense for building a specialised supply vessel for the South American nation’s Navy. The value of the contract is US$$11.5 million.
The Indian Mission located in Chilean capital Santiago, has been helping the Indian companies to register with the Chilean Armed Forces. Prominent among the Indian companies who have registered so far include: M/s BrahMos; M/s Azista Industries; M/s Reliance Naval Engineering; M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd.
And the companies which are in the process of getting themselves registered include: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), NewSpace India Limited; Neo Power; and BEML.
According to sources, since the Chilean Navy is undergoing modernisation, there are huge opportunities for the Indian shipyards as well as other companies. There are plans to invite a Chilean delegation to visit the Indian Shipyards to identify the areas where there could be joint production with ASMAR and development. The Chilean Navy has operated the `Scorpene’ submarines since 2005. Over the years the South American nation has developed operational and maintenance expertise.
