Article Posted on : - Apr 11, 2011

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): In a move towards allowing large scale private sector participation in the Defence sector, leading power utility Tata Power Company has been awarded the contract to modernise the Airfield Infrastructure of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for an undisclosed amount.

In a statement, Tata Power on Monday said it has got the order to modernise the Airfield Infrastructure of Indian Air Force from the Ministry of Defence.

"The Programme, known as Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure Phase I (MAFI-I), is of strategic importance and aims to improve capability of the Airfields to handle the modern combat air fleet being inducted by IAF," it said.

However, the financial details were not disclosed.

Tata Power Strategic Electronics Division (SED) Chief Executive Officer Rahul Chaudhry said the contract "won against a Global Defence tender of MoD, is a watershed moment, not only for us, but also for increasing private sector participation in Indian defence sector".

The company has been working closely working with Ministry of Defence and DRDO to provide state-of-the-art solutions to Indian Armed Forces for the past four decades, he added.

Tata Power's Managing Director Anil Sardana noted that bagging this order signifies recognition of Tata Power SED's capability to support the Indian defence establishment.

"Tata Power SED is committed to delivering world-class Airfields to the Indian Air Force and the division will continue to remain a long-term reliable partner to the Indian Armed Forces and other related establishments of MoD," he said.

Shares of Tata Power were marginally up at Rs 1,315.55 in afternoon trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Hillen said up to 6,000 of the jobs lost could be forced firings, but his ministry is still researching the possibility of shifting soldiers into other jobs in the country's police forces, among others.