In a run up to Defence Expo 2008, Frontier India Defence and Strategic News Service (FIDSNS) had an exclusive e-mail interview with Alan Garwood, New Worldwide Marketing Head, BAE Systems on the product offerings being showcased at the Def Expo, commitment to India and future plans of BAE Systems.

A Brief Biodata of Alan Garwood

Born in 1955, Alan joined British Aerospace in 1977 working within the Guided Missile Company, commencing his career in Export Contracts in the Middle East and subsequently in various posts in Project Management, Procurement, Strategy and Marketing. In April 1996, Alan moved to BAe Headquarters and was appointed Managing Director, Europe and North America, in the newly created International Marketing and Sales Organisation, responsible for all British Aerospace Aircraft, Missiles and Ordnance interests in the region.

In October 1998, Alan returned to the Missiles sector joining Matra BAe Dynamics as Deputy Chief Executive where he led the team to win the BVRAAM competition with Meteor. With the formation of MBDA Missile Systems on 01 January 2002, Alan was appointed Chief Operating Officer. In September 2002, Alan was seconded from BAE SYSTEMS to the UK Ministry of Defence as Head of Defence Export Services, where he advised the Secretary of State and other Ministers on Defence Exports. In this capacity he led a team of 600 Civil Servants and Military who form the Defence Export Services Organisation. Key campaigns included winning the US Presidential Helicopter Programme, Typhoon for Saudi Arabia and a number of naval ship contracts.

In 2008 Alan took up his current role as Group Business Development Director, promoting company products on a global basis. He is responsible to the Chief Executive for delivering an annual order intake in excess of £20bn, adding to the current order book which exceeds £60bn. He is also a member of the Group Executive Committee, which runs the Operations worldwide.

Alan has an MBA from Cranfield, and in 2003 was made an Honorary Doctor of Science – again at Cranfield. He is also a visiting Professor at the Royal Military College Shrivenham. Alan is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Alan was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours in December 2007.

FIDSNS:Overview of BAE Systems current and future interest in India.

Alan Garwood: India has always been important to BAE Systems. That is why we’ve been here for over 60 years; and not just supplying equipment but working in partnership with Indian industry. For example our first JV with Indian industry, called BAeHAL, was established in 1993. We also have a successful record in India working together on programmes such as Harrier, Jaguar and most recently Hawk. Hawk continues to be a great success. The first UK built aircraft were delivered in November last year and we are confident the aircraft will be an important asset in the IAF’s training programme.

Our company has grown rapidly both in size and capability. BAE Systems is not just the third largest defence company in the world, but also the global number one in land systems. While our traditional leadership in military aerospace will continue, our broad and high quality capability in land systems is one of the main areas we will seek to develop in conjunction with Indian industry.

FIDSNS: “land systems is one of the main areas we will seek to develop in conjunction with Indian industry.” Can you elaborate that? Specifically which projects? R&D included?

Alan Garwood: Most will become clear over the next few days as we make some announcements.

FIDSNS: BAE Systems. Plans on direct and indirect offsets, joint production and self production in India.

Alan Garwood: It is no secret that we are in discussions with Indian industry on broader and deeper relationships. It would be inappropriate to go into detail until those discussions are concluded of course. However, our plans are significant and based on the development of long term and proven industrial partnerships – real partnerships based on sound business models.

We are not starting from scratch of course; we haven’t just arrived in India. Our JV with HAL, called BAeHAL was established in 1993 and concentrates on IT and software engineering.

Our partnership with Wipro was formalised last year in an agreement for joint teams from both companies to work in US, UK and India on flight and engine control systems. This also included the establishment of a Technical Development Centre in Hyderabad. While its still early days, we are confident we will be able to secure significant business together.

We always take offset requirements seriously and we meet our commitments. BAE Systems is proud of its offset track record and our breadth of capability and expertise makes BAE Systems an ideal partner. Offset is certainly a concept we supported even before the introduction of the recent regulations in India. For example of the 66 Hawk in the process of being delivered to India right now, 42 are being built in Bangalore.

FIDSNS: Is it possible to estimate the current value of direct and indirect offsets in India? What will it look like in future?

Alan Garwood: We don’t have those figures to release, and as for the future we will certainly adhere to India’s requirement for 30% offset, but our business plans aim to also make good and long term business sense and have a future outside of offset obligations.

FIDSNS: Mission and Objective of BAE Systems presence in Defence Expo 2008.

Alan Garwood: DEFEXPO is has always been an important event for BAE Systems. Our company’s rapid growth in both size and capability means that this year will see be our biggest ever presence at the show, and the first as the global number one in land systems. India has always been an important market for BAE Systems which is why we’ve been in India for over sixty years.

We will be showing a broad range of capability from across the business, including tactical communications, land and naval gun systems, and vehicles.

However, the two largest features are:

The RG-31 Mine Protected vehicle – This is a variant of the 4X4 vehicle newly in service With US and other forces across the globe. The all-steel, welded armour, monocoque hull protects the crew from anti-tank mine and roadside bomb detonations. In standard APC configuration, this air-conditioned vehicle carries a crew of 8-10. BAE Systems is supplying three of the five Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle types that are meeting the Pentagon’s current requirement for around 20,000 vehicles.

RG-31 Mine Protected vehicle

The M777 Light Weight 155mm Howitzer – M777 is the world’s lightest 155mm Howitzer, weighing less than 10000 lbs (4218 kg) and now in service with the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army as their next generation Medium Force weapon. M777 is a 155mm 39 calibre towed gun which, through proven technology and the innovative use of titanium and aluminium alloys, meets the requirement for rapidly deployable and accurate artillery fire support. Equipped with a fully integrated digital fire control system the howitzer can be brought into action in less than one minute, and moved to an alternative firing position in less than three minutes.

M777 Light Weight 155mm Howitzer being airlifted by Blackhawk Helicopter

FIDSNS: BAE Systems plans for Indian Army 155mm Howitzer tender. Its evident Indian government is reluctant on dealing with Bofors again.

Alan Garwood: All Governments go through their own procedures to ensure they can procure what best fits their requirements. As with all customers we will respect the decision of the Indian Government.

FIDSNS:Why concentrate on RG-31 and M777? What is BAE’s expectations focusing on them in Defence Expo 08?

Alan Garwood:Again some of this will be clear in announcements over the next few days.

The Defexpo India exhibition which began in 1999 with 197 exhibitors, had by its 4th edition grown to one of the internationally recognised defence exhibitions in the world. BAE Systems Pavilion can be found at Hall No.10 1&1A.

BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems had 2006 sales that exceeded $27 billion.