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Grintek wins more contracts in India

Grintek Communication Systems (GCS), a division of Grintek, has been awarded three more contracts worth more than R45 million by the Indian government for the supply of its Phoenix range of high frequency (HF) tactical radios and multiband very high frequency and ultra high frequency (V/UHF) radios. The three contracts include radios for the Indian Army, Air Force and the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This is a follow up on the first contract worth around R40 million to supply HF Radios to the Indian Navy.

The Phoenix family of radios was developed jointly with the European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company, but all the actual work was done in South Africa at the GCS facility, where series production of the radios is also taking place. The success in securing this contract was due to GCS's high quality standards in producing these radios that are performance competitive with the best in the world, while having a price advantage.

The Phoenix radios are software controllable and can transmit data as well as voice signals. The radios feature a frequency hopping capability that precludes third party eavesdropping on what is being communicated via these radios, enabling secure communications.

GCS's head of sales and marketing, Louis du Plessis says, "There are only a few suppliers of tactical communication equipment in the world who are able to produce equipment that offers clients full autonomy in secure digital voice and data transmission.

"Grintek Communication Systems has the advantage of being able to develop unique communication systems according to customer requirements.

"There is an increasing emphasis on peacekeeping rather than warfare. However, the equipment required for peacekeeping and defence is very similar. Although GCS's radios were developed according to defence operational requirements, they provide all the attributes needed for peacekeeping and this provides a new market focus, especially in Africa," he says.

Du Plessis points out that the strong diplomatic and trade relations between India and South Africa have helped GCS make inroads into the Indian market, which is very attractive due to its size and the fact that GCS products fit the requirements.

He says GCS is in negotiations with the state-owned Electronic Company of India Limited to explore the establishment of sustainable partnerships going into the future. In addition, good synergies already exist with the Indian Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

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