Interview Petr Motyl

1. Which are the Indian defence requirements that PBS India is targeting?

 
PBS INDIA aims to improve the combat readiness and service life of the MIL MI-8/17 fleet operated by the Indian Air Force by supplying an APU. Our APU proves to be more reliable in harsh weather conditions and provides a much better operating envelope, which is crucial whether you are on a training mission or responding to a real threat. Furthermore, PBS INDIA can also provide a wide range of small turbojet engines with thrust ranging from 0,4 to 1,5 kN for target drone or missile programmes. You see, if someone really wants a proven and reliable system, we are ready to deliver it. In the end, PBS GROUP, which PBS INDIA is part of, has supplied more than 15,500 turbine aircraft systems to this day, which is not a small number in the aerospace industry. We open products delivery in Cryogenic area this year in India too.
 

2. Which of the company’s products could be well suited for Indian aircraft, helicopter and UAV programmes?

The Certified Auxiliary power units (APUs) and Thermal Management Systems (ECS) are a great fit for future Indian helicopters (such as IMRH) and aircraft programs. In the terms of UAVs PBS has delivered thousands of turbojet, turboprop & turboshaft engines for single-use and multi-mission UAVs in both civil and military sector.

3. Does PBS India view a market for its environmental control system, some fuel system instruments, the EMG-200 starter generators for Indian aviation programmes?

 
Except for the PBS turbine engines that can be installed on various platforms and can be modified further to meet the customer requirements, our existing APU and ECS solutions were designed for use in specific applications, for example the MI helicopters. However, we can definitely see ourselves participating in current or future civil or military aircraft projects as PBS has quite large experience in developing important aircraft systems and devices, such as auxiliary power units, environmental control systems or fuel dispense systems. If we look at the individual HAL products, for example the HJT-36 jet trainer, it is quite similar to Aero Vodochody L-39, for which PBS GROUP has designed and supplied a turbine starter, environmental control system, and various valves and filters. If we look at the 10-ton IMRH project, I believe it is not too bold to say that PBS INDIA could provide both starting and air conditioning systems for this medium-weight helicopter. Lastly, the EMG-200 starter generators would definitely prove useful for any light aircraft project, which wouldn’t require a powerful starting system to kick-start the main engines. EMG-200 is used, for example, by the L-39NG jet trainer or ANSAT helicopters.
 

4. PBS India has the ability to design, construct, manufacture and test entire products – how can this cater to Govt efforts towards greater defence indigenisation?

 
It is simple, PBS INDIA shares the know-how and capacities of the whole PBS GROUP, which boasts a 200 years history and 50-year experience in design, manufacturing, and testing aircraft turbine systems. Therefore, any requirements of the Indian Government or the Indian MoD would be backed up by the whole group. This would inevitably result in independence on foreign companies and an increase in speed when it comes to the development of crucial systems for various types of civil or military aircraft, which I believe would prove quite beneficial. We are ready and willing to support the Indian aerospace industry.
 

5. How will the recently established Agency for Inter-governmental Defence Cooperation (AMOS) be beneficial for PBS India?

 
Czech Republic approved the creation of the Intergovernmental Defence Cooperation Agency (AMOS), to support national defence companies and provide liaison between them and foreign states, to promote sales of military equipment at the intergovernmental level. Czech Republic is the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to have an agency promoting national military products at the government-to-government level. We are in close contacts with MoD India too and other subjects.
 

6. What makes the PBS TJ80M well suited for UAV applications?

Its size and weight is incredibly compact for the given thrust rating. These features make PBS TJ80M one of the best engines on the global market for military and civil UAVs.
 

7. What are the developments related to the Safir 5K/G MI auxiliary power unit (APU)?

PBS is currently focusing its APU R&D activities towards enhanced performance specially designed for future helicopter programs.

8. India has a fast growing space sector, how does PBS India aim to benefit from this?

 
The space sector is one the key emerging markets globally and India is soon to be one of the leading markets. PBS is part of the global ecosystem with its space fuel-liquefaction technology such as hydrogen or methane expanders and cryogenic pumps.
 
 

9. Please provide an update on PBS India’s in-country presence?

 
Looking at the PBS INDIA history right now, we are in very positive development phase now because we open Indian company 2 years ago. We would like to learn all the best from Indian market too. Luckily for us, we are fast learners and adapt to the specifics of the market quite easily. We have already got very interesting orders and we work with an Indian private firms too closely with. We regularly participate in major aerospace and defense exhibitions in last 4 years. Last year it was Aero India in Bengaluru, this year we are preparing to showcase our capabilities at DefExpo that will be held in Gandhinagar. From the government business perspective, we are in contacts with Indian Air, HAL, BEL and many more others. We are participating in several tenders announced by the Indian MoD. We would like building bigger presence in our “an indian home city” Bengalore. One of my dream is understand hindi language soon or later too. We strong believe in future of India and our better and better cooperation.
 

10. How does the company intend to increase its sourcing from India?

 
This has to go hand-in-hand with the demand for PBS INDIA products. As the business will grow, stronger partnerships will be formed, and more production, service, and after-sales support capacities will be allocated in India. That will create more jobs and increase our sourcing demands for locally produced materials, services and work force.