Its official, Atlas Elektronik now has a subsidiary in India. At a formal gathering in New Delhi, Khalil Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Elektronik India, announced that besides intensifying the already existing partnerships in India, the company will now create and foster relationships with the research and manufacturing facilities of India’s Ministry of Defence as well as private industries. Atlas Elektronik India, set up in March this year, will hence be the contact point for the German company in India.

“We would like to integrate India into global supply chains,” said Rahman, and added that the company strives to build a coalition of partners in India, both in the public and private sector, in order to help the Indian industry develop localised solutions suited to the needs of the Indian Navy’s modernisation programme. “Our objective is to make long-term investments in the Indian market and remain committed to the indigenisation needs of the Indian Government.”

Atlas Elektronik’s business relationship with India dates back to the 1980s and the company has provided four command and weapon suites for the Indian Navy’s Shishumar class submarines. The company is now looking forward to providing torpedoes and sonars for the Indian Navy, and also participate in the Project 75-I submarine programme. Headquartered in New Delhi, Atlas Elektronik India will deal with market research, analysis, supply chain management and provide technical and logistical support to customers and the parent company in Germany.

Focke Schwarzer, Chief Operating Officer, Atlas Elektronik India said that with strengthened presence, the company will be able to fulfill its ongoing and future projects in the country smoothly as well as offer new support services.

Atlas officials also informed that they are in talks with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and are actively working to develop Indo-German naval systems. Besides offering new generation sonars, combat systems and torpedos for the Indian Navy, the company is also putting forward its interest in upgrading the old submarines. “Building on an experience and know-how of German technology, Atlas Elektronik India is your local partner to support this effort,” said Rahman. “We are negotiating contracts for Delhi and Talwar class frigates. We are also working on a transfer of technology (ToT) with the Bharat Elektronik Limited.”

On being asked about the company’s experience working with the Indian establishment, the official said that the Indian Navy is very professional, but slow decision-making is frustrating.