Modernisation is BAE Systems’ Mantra

BAE Systems’ participation is anchored in a single mantra - the Company’s continued commitment to partner with the Government in its journey of military modernisation through technology and capability sharing with the domestic defence industrial base.

The company’s showcase this year is a broad span of State-of-the-art capabilities in towed and self-propelled artillery and its fire control systems, naval gun systems, ammunitions, military communications systems, geospatial exploitation products, wheeled and light armoured vehicles, and helmet mounted displays.

Center stage in the BAE Systems stand are the M777 ultra-light field howitzer and Mk45 Naval Gun System. The company has been supporting discussions between the Governments of India and the United States for a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of this revolutionary howitzer that is highly portable by land, sea and air and features a minimal logistical footprint alongside maximum reliability. The Mk45 is the most compact 5-inch (127mm) fully automated naval gun in the world with a successful and proven track record of service in the naval fleets of Australia, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, Thailand and Turkey and is co-produced indigenously in South Korea and Japan.

The stand has on display the Archer 155mm FH 77 BW L52 self-propelled field howitzer that can operate autonomously in tandem with today’s command and control systems. Adding firepower will be the LEMUR remotelycontrolled weapon systems (RCWS) and electro-optical sight for land and sea application. A wide range of munitions is on display including 120mm Tk HESH L31A7 and 120mm Tk charge propelling L3A2 amongst others.

The Hawk 132 advanced jet trainer (AJT), of which India is the largest operator with 123 aircraft ordered to date by the Indian Air Force (106) and the Indian Navy (17), is on show. The Indian Navy recently inducted the first batch of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers, becoming the third naval operator of the Hawk along with the US Navy and the Royal Navy. BAeHAL, the engineering and business solutions services joint venture with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Also on-stand is the new Q-Warrior helmet-mounted display (HMD) for the dismounted soldier and Q-Sight HMD for the new-age pilot, both providing mission-critical situational awareness. Adding muscle will be the Striker helmet for both fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. The display of the RG32 LTV and RG34 exhibits underlines BAE Systems’ flagship capabilities and technology in light armoured vehicles for potential partnerships with the Indian industry. Expert demonstration of Geospatial Exploitation Products (GXP) is another highlight.