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XTEK’s HighCom Armor Solutions has signed a collaboration agreement with Indian aerospace manufacturer Tata Advanced Systems.
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As part of the agreement, advanced Level III Rifle Combat Helmets (RCH) will be developed for the Indian Defence market using XTEK’s patented XTclave technology, according to a public statement on 17 April.
The advanced ballistic helmets are intended to stop AK-47 and other high-powered assault rifle bullets.
There is also an expected increase in market demand during financial year 2024, as the Indian Ministry of Defence commences a major capability enhancement program for soldier ballistic head protection.
XTEK’s group chief executive officer Scott Basham, who led a HighCom delegation visit to TASL manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad in February, said successful early collaboration to supply the Indian military could allow potential for a local XTclave production capability to be developed in India with TASL.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of this MoU with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, a major division of the world-leading and highly respected Tata Group, to collaborate on the supply of our unique ‘rifle rated’ Level III Rifle Combat Helmets for the Indian Defence market,” he said.
“Working with the team at TASL to penetrate the huge Indian Defence market makes tremendous sense for us.
“I expect that together, we will be able to fully meet the Indian military’s future requirements for new advanced ballistic head protection with our outstanding XTclave-made Rifle Combat Helmets.”
The Australian Department of Defence provided $800,000 in grant funding for XTEK to double its XTclaveTM RCH helmet production in Adelaide earlier this year.
XTEK received the two DoD grants through the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority and the Defence Global Competitiveness grant programs.
The grants allowed the company to enhance its helmet pre-forming and production capacity by installing a new custom helmet pre-forming press and purchasing a new CNC virtual machining centre to replace outdated equipment.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is the strategic aerospace and defence arm of the Tata Group, and has partnered with India’s armed forces for over six decades.
