Nagpur: Vidarbha Defense Industrial Hub (Vdih), a non-profit company founded by former General Master Ordnance (MGO) LT General (RET) Ravindra Thodge, who died last year, recently facilitated its first major agreement.
Vdih has helped a broker deal between Czech producers and Nagpur companies to create a component of the powerpack unit for armored vehicles (tanks), said Dushyant Deshpande, Vdih Convenor.
Powerpack is part of the tank machine.
However, vdih does not reveal the name of the company currently quoting business reasons.
Announcement will be done soon, said Deshpande.
He added that the component was being imported by India until now.
With a technology transfer agreement (TOT) between Czech and Indian companies, production will take place at home as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat government program.
The new unit will be arranged in the city with the initial investment of RS25 Crore, eventually upgraded to RS55 Crore, Deshpande said.
This factory is expected to operate in the current financial year.
Vdih was founded by Thodge with the aim of promoting the defense industry in the region.
This is the first main agreement to be hit with the help of vdih, said Deshpande.
In separate development, VDIH has facilitated orders to supply three prototype telescopic excavators by the Slovak company to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).
Installed on Tatra vehicles, excavators can be deployed to dig trenches from a distance and search search, Deshpande said.
“The Indo-Slovak Chamber of Commerce is a member of Vdih.
Memorandum of understanding was signed between the Slovak CSM group and the BEML to provide technology to create telescopic excavators.
Recently, the CSM group also pocketed the command to supply three prototype excavators to the BEML,” Deshpande said.
This is on the basis of no cost, without commitment, after that further orders can be placed.
Excavators can be used by soldier areas.
Vdih has 35 members including the industry of Nagpur.
It also has a plan to establish a center of excellence in Mihan.
This center is planned to create a skilled workforce for the aeronautics and defense industry.
However, the project has been postponed after the state government under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime resist its contribution to capital.
This project will require RS92 Crore, where RS63 Crore comes from the state government.
As part of a cost cutting decision during Covid, the government has held back plans.