MKU Consolidates Its Position in Ballistic Protection, High-Tech Electrical Harnesses

India’s MKU manufactures combat helmets, ballistic shields, armor inserts, and overvests to armed personnel based on sixth generation Polyshield V6 armoring technology. The technology uses advanced composite materials and techniques to reduce weight of armor for both aircraft and helicopters by nearly 40 percent, Rajesh Gupta, Senior Manager with MKU said during the AeroIndia Air Show Thursday.

Keeping in mind the multi-role operations and survivability of utility and assault helicopters, MKU designs helicopter armor kits using ‘Modular Schutz Technik’. The technique uses precision engineered composite armor panels and aero-grade attachment systems,” Gupta said.

These kits are installed on existing structure of helicopters and will not require any structural changes or tampering with aerodynamics of the helicopter. We currently have done armouring for 20 different types of helicopters worldwide including MI-8/17; Lockheed C-130; Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter; Boeing CH-47; Eurocopter BO-105; Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk, UH60,UH 60M.We can armor any helicopter by Indian armed forces,” he said.

The company also manufactures personal ballistic vest manufactured using Ammoflex 6 technology as per NIJ 0101.06 Level II which weighs 1.5Kg and Level 3 of VPAM BSW 2006 weighs only 1.3 kg. An armor insert for Rifle protection made using 6 generation Polyshield 6 technology weighs less than 850g.

EIS Electronic, a subsidiary of the company, with its two facilities — one in Germany and the other here in Kanpur — manufactures electrical harnesses for various aircraft.

The Indo-German joint venture exportss electrical wiring harnesses for Airbus industries in Europe. Gupta says in 2014-15, the company had achieved a turnover of over Rs 250 crore which in 2015-16 increased by 35 per cent. “MKU has been making healthy profits, while in 2014-15 EBITDA was Rs 20 crore approximately, in 2015-16 it climbed up by 215 per cent. The gross profit also went up 73 per cent compared to 2014-15,” adds Gupta.

Other major players operating in the global ballistic protective equipment market include 3M Company, BAE Systems Plc, EnGarde, PSP, Inc., and Tencate.