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Our Bureau

Chennai, Aug. 28 MRF Tyres, whose in-house developed helicopter tyres are awaiting the approval of the Ministry of Defence, expects Government to provide “financial assistance”, Mr Koshy K. Varghese, Executive Vice President – Marketing, MRF, said today.

The tyres have been developed with an eye on the Indian defence aviation market.

Addressing a press conference Mr K. M. Mammen, Chairman and Managing Director, MRF Ltd said, “It is very critical product in defence and producing indigenous-made tyres is crucial as we are not dependent on other countries.”

Mr Varghese said that there is a big demand for tyres from the Defence, which is currently met from imports.

However, due to confidentiality he declined to mention the market size of the defence services. Aviation tyres require advanced technology and huge investments in development, testing and production.

Mr Varghese pointed out that it took nearly three years of research and a production cost of Rs 125 crore to develop these tyres.

The product is branded as ‘Aero Muscle’ and has been developed in such a manner that it has zero defects and can withstand temperatures between minus 55 Celsius and plus 55 Celsius.

“When we start getting orders, we will establish a dedicated line in Medak, Andhra Pradesh,” he said. The Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness has given its approval for supply of tyres for Chetak helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics.

Answering a question, Mr Mammen said that labour problems at MRF’s Tiruvottriyur plant had been sorted out. Earlier this year, the plant suffered a lock-out resulting in a Rs 200-crore loss of revenues.

More Stories on : Outlook | Tyres | Airlines

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