Lucknow, Feb 7 () French defence firm Thales and Kanpur-based defence manufacturer MKU announced on Friday that they will jointly develop ELFIE night vision devices (NVD) for the armed forces in India and across the world.<p>With this, both companies have further solidified a MoU signed in 2018 for strategic co-operation on developing optronic devices. This co-operation involves co-development of these devices at MKU's facility in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a joint statement issued by the companies on the sidelines of DefExpo 2020 here said.</p><p>A lightweight monocular with the widest field of view, ELFIE provides unprecedented mobility and night combat capability, the statement said. </p><p>Whether hands-free (on a face mask or helmet mount) or weapon-mounted, ELFIE is suitable for left or right eye use and provides stereoscopic vision in binocular configuration, it added.</p><p>ELFIE is ideal for vehicle-driving and for paratroopers and special forces operators. When mounted on a weapon, it provides a red dot sight or laser pointer to the user, the statement said.</p><p>The integration of the first pre-series of ELFIE at MKU's facility in Kanpur is expected to be completed in the first trimester of 2020. A true model of the made in India ELFIE night vision device is expected to be available in the first trimester of 2021, it said.</p><p>Pascale Sourisse, senior executive vice-president, International Development, Thales, said, "We are enthusiastic about taking our strategic association forward with MKU with the co-development of ELFIE. This embodies the government's Make in India initiative. Coming up in the Defence Industrial Corridor of Uttar Pradesh, this versatile night vision device will be offered to the armed forces in India as well as across the world. Together with MKU, we look forward to strengthening the industrial ecosystem while also contributing towards job creation in the country."</p>Neeraj Gupta, managing director, MKU Limited, said, "We are delighted about this partnership with a global technology leader like Thales. This association will combine Thales expertise with the manufacturing abilities of MKU and boost local manufacturing for the defence industry. We will develop the entire supply chain and the devices will be manufactured to exacting international standards."  NAV  IJT

Thales, MKU to co-develop night vision device for armed forces in Kanpur

While everyone knows that it was the strength and valour of <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> that helped us win the <keyword id="152249" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="kargil-war">Kargil War</keyword>, the contribution of a little-known company in Kanpur can’t be ignored.<br /><br /> After all, no army can win a fight without its <keyword id="434926" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defence-equipments">defence equipments</keyword>, and this Kanpur-based company, which now calls itself as one of the biggest arms exporter in India, played a crucial role in providing Indian Army what was required. <br /><br /> Take for example the requirement of small-sized mountain shoes, which the <keyword id="671353" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gorkha-Regiment">Gorkha regiment</keyword>, known for their mountain-climbing abilities, required to take part in a mission. While no other company could commit to the huge order because of lack of time, <keyword id="57367" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MKU">MKU</keyword> got the emergency order of 10,000 mountaineering boots, even though it had a monthly capacity of 8,000 units at that time. <br /><br /> "As the soldiers were being moved to the battle front, we completed the order working day and night before the start of attack. The order was the turning point for our company and our efforts were very much appreciated by the Army after the war," said MKU MD Neeraj Gupta. <br /><br /> Since then, MKU has come a long way, and now manufactures a wide range of defence products including bullet-proof helmets and jackets, body armours and night-vision devices, supplying military equipment to more than 100 countries. It has also set up a manufacturing and testing facility in Germany, other than having three local units in Kanpur and Fatehpur.<br /><br />  <br /><br />

Here’s the story of a Kanpur-based company that helped Indian Army in Kargil

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/54026475.cms" /><br /> Soldiers from armies worldwide are provided ultra-light helmets made of high-tenacity composite and polyethylene materials, some of which also integrate video cameras, thermal, chemical and biological sensors, along with visors which act as "heads-up computerized display monitors" in front of the eyes. On the other hand, soldiers of <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword>, belonging to the world’s fastest growing economy, are struggling to get some basic protection gear for decades.<br />
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This wait for light and better helmets could finally be over for the Indian Army, since as per a <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Deal-worth-Rs-170-cr-for-better-lighter-Army-helmets-to-be-inked/articleshow/54023127.cms">TOI </a>report, a contract for 1,58,279 light-weight ballistic helmets is on the verge of completion. The deal is said to be worth around Rs 170 crore.<br />
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"The deal would have been inked much earlier after the CNC (contract negotiation committee) was completed. But there has been a complaint, as also some financial queries...these are now being addressed," said a source.<br />
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Earlier in March, a Rs 140 crore contract for "emergency" procurement of 50,000 from Tata Advanced Materials Limited was inked after waiting for more than 10 years.<br />
<br /> The helmets, procured from an Indian manufacturer <keyword id="57367" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MKU">MKU</keyword>, will be equipped with 13mm trauma protection pads, while those for "commanders" will come with integrated communication headsets.<br />
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The present lot of helmets that the army has are not only too heavy, but also do not protect soldiers from anything but splinters and rocks.<br />
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<a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/10/article-2127513-12874855000005DC-244_634x463.jpg"><em>Image source</em></a>

Indian soldiers could finally get better, lighter helmets after two decades of wait

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/578e727d4321f142368b91d2-900/13737714_10154455356206320_3404213149080065171_o.jpg" alt="tappan-zee-bridge-crane-collapse" data-mce-source="Fox 5/Facebook"><p class="source"><span>Fox 5/Facebook</span></p><p class="caption">The aftermath of the crane collapse on the Tappan Zee bridge.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>NEW YORK (Reuters) - A large construction crane collapsed on a busy New York bridge on Tuesday, injuring at least three people and snarling traffic in both directions, county officials said.<p>The crane collapsed at about noon on the Tappan Zee Bridge, which is under construction to replace the original span built in the 1950s over the Hudson River. It connects Rockland County in the north to New York City's suburbs.</p><p>At least three people suffered minor injuries from swerving their cars to avoid colliding with the crashed crane, Rockland County said on Twitter.</p><p>NBC News aerial footage showed emergency responders pulling at least two people from cars and one being loaded onto a stretcher. Traffic was backed up for miles, the video showed.</p><p>The bridge, which opened in 1955, is the longest in New York state. The nearly $4 billion renovation began in 2013, according to the state's The New NY Bridge website on the project.</p><p>Construction is expected to be completed by 2018, according to the website of Tappan Zee Constructors, a consortium of firms working on the project in conjunction with the New York State Thruway Authority.</p><p>A number of news outlets and bystanders posted photos and videos of the aftermath on social media:</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Crane collapses across Tappan Zee Bridge in New York, but remarkably, no vehicles were hit. <a href="https://t.co/5twDSXbw4K">https://t.co/5twDSXbw4K</a><a href="https://t.co/A3iZoJxXwf">https://t.co/A3iZoJxXwf</a></p>- ABC News  (@ABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/755456899030462465">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>PHOTOS: Crane collapses on Tappan Zee Bridge in New York <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/6abc?src=hash">#6abc</a> - <a href="https://t.co/PPDcIDBiFo">https://t.co/PPDcIDBiFo</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ej7poJdQX0">pic.twitter.com/Ej7poJdQX0</a></p>- Action News on 6abc  (@6abc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/755450739703554048">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p>&#xa0;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Video from the Tappan Zee Bridge crane collapse courtesy John Hippler <a href="https://t.co/JWgoBPeSxm">pic.twitter.com/JWgoBPeSxm</a></p>- RocklandFires  (@RocklandFires) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/755452126478929924">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p>&#xa0;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A crane collapse on New York's Tappan Zee Bridge has closed it indefinitely to traffic. <a href="https://t.co/MlTcbZieH1">https://t.co/MlTcbZieH1</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rz6opq6mKu">pic.twitter.com/Rz6opq6mKu</a></p>- NBC DFW  (@NBCDFW) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/755462283460042752">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/navy-sailors-marines-swim-call-oceans-military-2016-7">This video proves the US Navy and US Marine Corps have the best diving boards and swimming pools</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="NidGlrNDE61SKhlt3V3izuh5Qq1I4VY8" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'NidGlrNDE61SKhlt3V3izuh5Qq1I4VY8',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

At least three people are injured after a crane collapsed on New York's Tappan Zee bridge

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/52432302.cms" />
<p>
	As India is looking towards a long term, strategic partnership between <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=defence&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">defence</a> ministry and the private sector, the initiative has been divided into five sub-groups.</p>
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	The Ministry of Defence led by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=manohar+parrikar&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar</a> has cleared composition of the five sub-groups constituted for focused discussions on the strategic partnership model for selected platforms in the defence sector.</p>
<p>
	READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Here-is-the-complete-information-of-23-projects-that-defence-ministry-is-taking-up-under-Make-in-India-initiative/articleshow/52092916.cms">Here is the complete information of 23 projects that defence ministry is taking up under Make in India initiative</a></p>
<p>
	The first sub-group for <b>Armoured Fighting Vehicles</b> will be chaired by Col (Retd) H S Shankar, Chairman, FICCI Defence sub-committee on Indian Defence SME and will have representatives from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and two star rank officers from the Armoured Division of the Army Headquarters.</p>
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	The second sub-group, which will have discussions on platforms such as <b>Aircrafts and Helicopters</b> (fighter, transport, etc), will be headed by Sukaran Singh, who is Co-Chairman of CII National Committee on Defence. This group will also have participation from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=drdo&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">DRDO</a> and two star rank officers from Air Head Quarters.</p>
<p>
	Sub-group-III that will focus on platforms including <b>Submarines</b> and their major systems will be chaired by Jayant Damodar Patil, Chairman FICCI Defence Committee and will comprise representatives from DRDO and two star rank officers from the Naval Head Quarters. Rear Admiral Pritam Lal (Retd), who was member of the Dhirendra Singh committee of experts, will also be a member of this Sub-group-III on submarines.</p>
<p>
	<b>Ammunition</b> including smart ammunition will be the focus area for Sub-group-IV and will be headed by Neeraj Gupta, MD, MKU Pvt Ltd and nominee of industry association, ASSOCHAM. As in other sub-groups, this sub-group will have DRDO representatives and two star rank officers from the Army HQs. This sub-group will be facilitated by Wing Commander Vani Mishra, PO (Systems).</p>
<p>
	Sub-group V will look into <b>macro process management</b> of issues related to eco-system, technical competence, financial evaluation, weightage to existing infrastructure, commitment of partner for life cycle support and other regulatory matters.</p>
<p>
	This sub-group will be chaired by Rajinder Bhatia, Co-chairman, CII national Defence Sub-committee on Land Systems and will also comprise of DRDO representatives.</p>
<p>
	As per sources, chairpersons of each of these five sub-groups have been asked to expeditiously complete the discussions on their relevant topics and be ready with their respective presentations latest by June 3, 2016.</p>
<p>
	Parrikar had held a consultative meeting with the industry associations on April 25 on the issue of strategic partners for defence sector from private sector.</p>
<p>
	(<span>Anupama Airy is the </span>Founder and Editor of EnergyInfraPost.com and DefenceAviationPost.com. She can be reached at <a href="mailto:anupama.airy@gmail.com" target="_blank">anupama.airy@gmail.com</a>​, Twitter handle: @anupamaairy)</p>
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	<o:p> </o:p></p>


You Searched For "MKU" and got 5 results

Thales, MKU to co-develop night vision device for armed forces in Kanpur

PTI

Here’s the story of a Kanpur-based company that helped Indian Army in Kargil

BI India Bureau

Indian soldiers could finally get better, lighter helmets after two decades of wait

BI India Bureau

At least three people are injured after a crane collapsed on New York's Tappan Zee bridge

Caroline Simon,Reuters

India’s defence manufacturing deals will take place under these 5 categories

Anupama Airy