Mumbai, Sept. 2 -- Avantel has secured a Rs 1,178.8 million (mn) contract from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence to develop, install and commission a ground segment hub for voice and data communication. The domestic award was disclosed in a company filing and covers the design and integration of terrestrial links for secure voice and data traffic. The contract establishes a contractual relationship between the company and the DRDO for delivery of communication hardware and system software.
The contract value equates to Rs 1,178.8 mn and the work is scheduled for completion by February 2029, to be executed over three years with a 36-month warranty on supplied systems. The scope includes manufacturing, testing, system integration and commissioning activities required for operational deployment. The domestic nature of the order reflects the procurement of critical infrastructure from local industry suppliers.
The award follows an earlier rate contract this year with Zetwerk Manufacturing Businesses under which Avantel secured a Rs 4,599.0 mn deal for supply and maintenance of satellite communication equipment. That agreement covered both equipment supply and maintenance support, including a one-year comprehensive onsite warranty and a five-year annual maintenance contract. Together the contracts broaden the company's commitments across satellite and terrestrial communications platforms.
The two domestic contracts will add to Avantel's orderbook and require scaling of manufacturing and support operations to meet delivery schedules. Warranty and maintenance provisions indicate ongoing aftersales engagement and longer term service obligations for the company. The contracts reinforce the company's role as a supplier of communications equipment for defence and government users and align with efforts to domestically source critical systems and capabilities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.