Cobham is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of leading edge aerospace and defence technology and systems. Here in an interview, A.J. Stevens, CEO, Cobham, gives an outline of the company’s India plans. Excerpts of the interview:

SP’s: Can you underline the core competencies of Cobham?

Stevens: Founded by Sir Alan Cobham, who had a great passion for flying, the company has been developing leading defence and aerospace technology for the last 76 years. Today, the company is broadly divided into three divisions—defence (marine, air, land, space), security and commercial business. Cobham has nine business units, and partners and customers in more than 100 countries across the world. Cobham is also responsible for the helicopter training of the UK armed forces—Army, Navy and Air Force, and the coastal security in Australia as well. We are looking forward to many more acquisitions.

SP’s: Can you throw light on the core business interests of Cobham in India?

Stevens: We are committed to building a long-term arrangement in India. Besides strengthening our relationship with our existing partners like Hindustan Aeronuatics Limited, we are also looking at partnerships with both public and private sector industries in India. Cobham has a good portfolio of land, air and sea capabilities and has the ability to plug and play with whatever system is on board. We are looking at all three areas—defence, security and commercial business. India has great potential and we want to invest more in the country including in technology.

SP’s: What products and solutions are you offering to the Indian armed forces?

Stevens: We have already supplied refuelling pods to the Indian Air Force and have refuelling solutions for any aircraft the IAF currently has and plans to acquire in the future. We also provide refuelling for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company has responded to a request for information from the IAF for search and rescue systems. Cobham has great interest in the battlefield management systems, future infantry soldier as a system (F-INSAS) and the future infantry combat vehicle programmes for the Indian Army. Likewise, we have solutions for maritime security, shipping, search and rescue, communications, etc.

SP’s: Are you looking at the homeland security market in India as well?

Stevens: Yes, we are in dialogue with various security agencies and have varied products on offer for them. We have competence in coastal security and surveillance, integrated force protection, bomb detection capabilities, SATCOM solutions, etc. We have antennas which can be placed on a truck and is an instant communications solution in areas hit by natural disasters like tsunami, etc.