-Prof. Bhagwati Prakash
Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata has championed the cause of swadeshi industry so gloriously that today Bharat has remarkable global presence in several sectors. The baton of swadeshi was passed over to him by Jamsetji Tata. He then, crossed several milestones in his race to place Bharat among one of the industrially most advanced nations. From steel to defence production and from IT to Airlines the Tata Group has contributed enormously for the nation.
Today India is second largest steel producer in the world. where Tatas have pioneered om steel manufacturing in the 19th century. Ratan Tata has very successfully diversified worldwide by an active policy of acquisitions abroad of manufacturing capacities. He had acquired the Corus Steel, Land Rover, Jaguar and Tetley in UK. He also acquired Daewoo Commercial Vehicles Limited in S. Korea, Hispano in Spain and turned around all of them very successfuly, which were mostly loss making and even bankrupt too.
Some of the Tata group companies have been helping the Aerospace and defence sectors in Bharat. A brief account of how Tata group under the dynamic leadership of Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata has contributed to defence capabilities of the country.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is a strategic Aerospace and Defence arm of the Tata group. TASL group delivers in the areas like Missile Systems, Radar systems, command and control systems, aerospace and aero-structures.
Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division contributes to the Armed Forces in the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), Samyukta Electronic Warfare System, Arihant Nuclear Submarine Control Centre and airport modernisation for Air Force, to name a few.
It has developed strategic products in Electronic Warfare, Critical Infrastructure and Border Management Systems inclusive of Command and Control S/W, Electronic Battle Field Surveillance Radar, Remotely Controlled Pan & Tilt EO systems and Unattended Ground Sensors and Optronics in addition to its Prototype Light Weight Remote controlled ICV (Infantry Combat Vehicle) Turret with an Active Protection and Laser Warning System.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in addition to software services, provides Engineering, IT, Consulting, Digital and BPS solutions and services to the Aerospace and Defence value chains.
TCS Aerospace works as a part of OEMs, Engine manufacturers, Tier suppliers, Airline operators, Airports, Air Navigation Service Providers and MROs.
Tata Advanced Material Limited (TAML), manufactures various composite parts for Space Applications, Structural Components, Engine Components, Personal and Vehicle Armour and Composite parts for various Industrial Applications for OEMs and Tier 1s.
Tata Motors, besides its operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands, provides defence hardware.
Besides, many types of defence platforms, Tata Motors also supplies Combat Vehicles. It supplies Wheeled and Tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers, Wheel Armored Amphibious Platform (WHAP); Combat Support vehicles like Missile carriers, high mobility vehicle 6×6, 8×8, l0xl0, 12×12, bomb disposal vans, etc.
Thus the Tata group under the leadership of Ratan Tata has built a strong industry base.
