08 Sep 2009 | Ref. 169/2009
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BAE Systems Establishes India Advisory Board
DELHI, India ─ BAE Systems has appointed two highly accomplished Indian nationals from the worlds of business and diplomacy, Mr R.C. Bhargava and Mr Naresh Chandra, to sit on its new India Advisory Board. These appointments reflect the increasing strategic importance of India to BAE Systems as one of the company’s Home Markets.
India joins the United States, Sweden, South Africa, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Australia as BAE Systems’ seventh home market. These markets are the strategic focus of the company’s business - countries in which there is considerable company presence and capability, or the clear commitment to develop that ‘home’ presence.
The formation of the advisory board enhances the company’s ability to execute its home market strategy in India, building on the company’s long and successful history of working in India. BAE Systems has identified independent advisory board members to advise the company, drawing on their exceptional insight, experience and understanding of national and regional issues. BAE Systems is honoured to appoint to the Advisory Board Ravi Bhargava, formerly CEO, and now Chairman, of Maruti Suzuki; and Naresh Chandra, formerly Ambassador of India to the United States, Cabinet Secretary, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Governor of Gujarat.
Dick Olver, Chairman, BAE Systems, said during his current visit to India, “We recognise the aspirations and clear intent of the Government of India to develop the country’s indigenous defence industry. BAE Systems, which has had a successful 60 year history in India, providing products and support to the armed services, has committed itself to support India’s policy objectives by investing in and developing its industrial presence in India. Making India our seventh home market means we are committed to investing in and developing long term partnerships, to creating and nurturing capabilities in India for product design and development, manufacture, and skills enhancement and we wish to build our ability to export from India to other markets.”
Olver continued, “I am delighted to welcome two such knowledgeable heavyweights onto our India Advisory Board. Their strategic advice to the company will surely be invaluable, as we chart a path to build a multi-sector Indian business covering the land, air, sea, and security domains.”
Further external members will be appointed to the BAE Systems India Advisory Board in due course.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
For further information, please contact:
Guy Douglas, BAE Systems India
T: +91 11 43412345
M: +91 97175 35511
guy.douglas@beasystems.com
John Neilson, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384795 Mob: + 44 (0)7802 337704
john.neilson@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
