Ranoli, Vadodra. In yet another boost to Make in India in defence and aerospace sector, L&T Defence has opened a new production line for Transport Launch Canisters (TLC) for transporting and firing the supersonic BrahMos missiles.

The facility was inaugurated at Ranoli, Vadodara in Gujarat on July 7 by BrahMos Aerospace CEO & MD Dr Sudhir K Mishra and with this India has stopped importing the canisters from Russia, which is otherwise a 49.5:50.5 partner in the joint production of the missile, the fastest yet in the world at three times the speed of sound.

The second facility is required to “cater to the serial production requirements of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system,” a company press statement said. The canister for the missile serves the dual purpose of a container, to store and transport, and also that of a launching tube.

Inaugurating the facility, Dr Mishra, who is a Distinguished Scientist & Director General (BrahMos) and CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace, said: “The highly successful BrahMos missile programme has taken a remarkable lead under the flagship Make In India initiative of our Government. Today, BrahMos has created a robust ecosystem of indigenous defence manufacturing and integration, thus reinforcing and realising the long-cherished dream of self-reliance in this critical sector.”

He described the contribution of each of BrahMos’ defence industry partners as “immense” and “highly commendable.”

Mr Jayant Patil, Whole-Time Director & Sr. Executive Vice-President – Defence Business, L&T, who spoke on behalf of L&T, said: “We have been associated with the development of BrahMos missile programme for close to two decades. Our journey started under the guidance of DRDO to develop indigenous capabilities and facilities for realization of composite airframes, canisters and allied sub-systems for BrahMos missile. Our products have successfully passed applicable qualification tests, and L&T has already started delivering these articles under serial production mode.”

The versatile, multi-role, multi-platform BrahMos has been integrated with L&T-manufactured Composite Airframes and two different versions of Transport Launch Canister (TLC). L&T Defence has successfully completed the realisation of Composite Airframes for the tactical missile.

Notably, BrahMos is a missile of choice for the Indian Army and Navy, and its smaller version is being tested for launch from IAF’s Su 30 MKI aircraft.

L&T Defence’s Advanced Composites Manufacturing Facility at Ranoli will now take up the serial production of TLCs. The unit has the accreditation of National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) towards manufacturing of Aerospace Products.

The Advanced Composites Laboratory at Ranoli, in its efforts towards quality compliance for the ongoing BrahMos programme, has received the Accreditation Certification from National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

As a leading Industry partner of BrahMos Aerospace, L&T Defence is augmenting the infrastructure at its Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex, Coimbatore by adding a Composites Facility which will also cater to the serial production requirements.

L&T Defence has also been closely involved in the design, development and production of Launchers and Fire Control Systems (FCS) for the formidable BrahMos missiles for naval platforms.