A GO-GETTING Hereford firm is pitching tents to one of the world's largest armies in a bid for its biggest deal yet.

Rotherwas based MilSys (UK) Ltd already supplies the British and Spanish military with special state-of-the-art shelters.

But a contract with the Indian army could really bring the team to attention.

Indian defence attach Brigadier RK Yadav had MilSys in his sights last Friday. What he saw on a tour of the firm's Ramsden Road plant will be backed up at a major UK military display next month.

There, MilSys will show just what their shelters can do in the field - and hope to enjoy an Indian Summer.

Founded little over a year ago, the firm's stock has risen as fast as its product.

MilSys makes the DRASH (Deployable Rapid Assembly shelters) now seen in war zones and disaster areas worldwide.

DRASH tents can be put up as freestanding self-supporting structures in a matter of minutes, without the need for tools, parts, or poles.

Several shelters can be linked together to make almost any kind of accommodation troops might need, including HQs, hospitals, helicopter hangers and communication/signals centres.

They can also be adapted to the full range of protection from chemical or biological attack.

The firm's American parent company has the CIA, FBI, US Special Forces and the United Nations on its client list.

MilSys (UK) has the go-ahead to explore and develop markets of its own. Progress made so far means the firm is thinking over a major expansion of its Rotherwas operation.

Spokesman Paul Ford said the expansion would see shelter components - currently imported from America - made on site.

The Indian contract would be the firm's biggest break yet, opening up lucrative business opportunities in Asia and the Far East, said Mr Ford.