Rafael To Sign Agreement With Tata Power For Air Defence Systems

New Delhi: Rafael, the Israeli armaments company, is set to ink an agreement with Tata Power for maintenance of air defence systems which the company will supply to the Indian Air Force. Rafael, which has got the order for quick reaction surface-to-air Python and Derby Air Defence Systems for the Ministry of Defence, will ink the production transfer programme agreement with the Tata Group company this fiscal.The missiles, that target low-flying enemy missions, will replace the IAF''s ageing Russian SAM-6 and SAM-7 missiles. Under the proposed agreement, Tata Power will manufacture some parts of the air defence systems and do the maintenance work post delivery. Each unit of the air defence systems consists of a command and control vehicle fitted with a radar, four silos capable of firing four missiles and units to supply and service the vehicle. The Cabinet committee on security last month cleared the deal, which will cost Rs 4,500 crore. As part of the main contract to deliver the air defence systems to the IAF, Rafael will give an as yet unspecified number of Python-5 and Derby missiles, both of them considered advanced surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles