Hemair develops key cooling system for Indo-Israeli project

SOURCE THE HINDU Hyderabad, March 17: 

A key cooling system for a large radar system being built under an Indo-Israeli joint venture project has been successfully developed by Hemair Systems India Ltd (HSIL).

The first indigenous cooling system has been custom built for the joint venture — MRSAM (medium range surface to air missile) system — for the Indian Air Force. It ensures the thermal stability of the radar by producing and circulating cool water at 17 degrees C.

The first unit was handed over to Mr S.K. Ray, Director of the RCI, a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, here today, by Mr Srinivasa Rao, Managing Director of Hemair. The ruggedised version is far cheaper, but matches the quality as tested by the DRDO.

Speaking at the event, Dr V.K. Saraswat, Chief of DRDO and Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, said, “We needed a cooling system that was effective in Indian conditions. The imported one's were more suitable for European conditions. The decision to build indigenously led to awarding the challenge to Hemair under the joint venture.”

He said the huge projects under the Defence Ministry have opened up many opportunities to Indian industry. The 26 per cent FDI (foreign direct investment) and new policy initiatives have also thrown up possibilities of joint ventures with international companies. The MRSAM is one such example.

Investment

The MRSAM envisages Rs 1,500 crore investment at the development stage and several thousands of crore at the production stage. The first prototype, including the radar, launcher of the missile, should be ready for testing in 2012, he explained.

Describing the cooling system as the “heart of the radar,” Mr Ray said the missile being developed will have a range of 70 km. He pointed out that quality of products was a major concern for the DRDO now, as the defence sector has entered the large scale manufacturing phase. He urged the industry to ponder over ensuring quality.

Mr Srinivasa Rao said, “The product, which costs less than a crore, is not available commercially or manufactured in the organised sector. The company, with a turnover of Rs 65 crore, six operating plans (including one in UK) and 500 employees is expecting multiple orders soon from the project.”