Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) British aerospace major BAE Systems has named Dean McCumiskey as its new managing director and chief executive of India operations with effect from March 2012.

Dean is currently group chief information officer based in the company’s London headquarters and will succeed Andrew Gallagher, who takes up new responsibilities as BAE Systems’ director of audit, based in Britain.

McCumiskey will be responsible for leading the next phase of BAE Systems’ business development in India, where the defence, aerospace and security company directly employs around 100 people and has a growing presence through strategic investments in technology sharing and industrial partnerships, a company release said Monday.

In addition, two joint ventures, Defence Land Systems India (DLSI) in partnership with vehicle major Mahindra and Mahindra, and BAeHAL, a software engineering joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), together employ over 350 people.

Commenting on his new role, ahead of moving to New Delhi next month, McCumiskey said: “We have built a solid foundation in India and I look forward to broadening and deepening our involvement in the country’s growing defence and security industry in partnership with world-class Indian companies such as Mahindra and Mahindra and HAL.”

McCumiskey has deep experience of the global defence, aerospace and security industry, having held senior management positions in both the US and Europe.

Prior to taking up the role of Chief Information Officer, he was responsible for business winning activities in Europe and South America, as also in Canada, leading multi-million dollar campaigns covering the air, land, maritime and security sectors.

Gallagher, who returns to London headquarters, said: “I feel privileged to have helped establish the India business for the company as an integral part of India’s defence and aerospace sector as the country progresses towards creating self-reliance in its defence industry.”

Recent highlights for BAE Systems in India include a $91 million contract for providing spares and ground support equipment to the Indian Air Force to aid the Hawk training aircraft operations, bringing the total value of Hawk related contracts won in India to more than $900 million in the last 18 months.

In the land sector, serial production of DLSI’s mine protected vehicle is underway and the joint venture is competing to win a share of over 2,500 track and wheeled combat vehicle programme.

Discussions between the Indian and US governments are underway on the possible sale of BAE Systems’ ultra-light M777 howitzer in support of the Indian Army’s modernisation programme.

In addition to current activities in the land and air sectors, BAE Systems is evaluating the potential for establishing security sector capabilities in India, to help provide mission-critical solutions, tools and support to key client communities.