Mahindra & Mahindra has tied up with US-based Telephonics to offer surveillance and communication devices to the defense sector in India.

Telephonics, which is a unit of the US based diversified Griffon Corporation will partner the India firm to offer these surveillance and communication to civilian buyers as well. Mahindra holds a 74 percent stake in the joint venture and the remaining stake in held by Telephonics.

The new Mahindra – Telephonics joint venture will focus on security and air traffic management services. The firm will cater to the growing demand for surveillance equipments as well as communication requirements of the Indian defense sector.

"We will be filing our application with foreign investment promotion board (FIPB) by the end of this month and expect the approvals to come through in the next two or three months. The JV should be operational by April next year,” said Mahindra Defense Systems chief executive Khutub Hai.

Mr. Hai also said that the company at the business potential of $3.5-4 billion in the communication and is aiming to build solutions for the Indian market brining in the best technology from its American partner.

Telephonics Corporation CEO Joseph Battaglia said that the company is seeking approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to establish the joint venture in the country. It also has a presence in the country in the Indian defense and civil markets.