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Saturday, February 7, 2009
Bangalore: After its recent success in selling its Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles to the Indian Army, France-based MBDA is hoping to co-develop a short range surface-to-air missile (SR-SAM) with India.
"We are discussing the development of missiles with Indian agencies in this regard and are hoping for a positive outcome," MBDA spokesperson Mati Hindrekus told PTI at Aero India here.
DRDO had issued a global Request for Proposal (RFP) last year for developing a SR-SAM with range of over 15 kilometres.
If successful, MBDA would co-develop the new missile and launcher, "marrying" technology and capabilities of the European company and the DRDO, he said.Hindrekus said BDL would be the prime contractor and produce and integrate the weapon system. The choice of radar would be an Indian one, he said, adding that the missile would have range of over 15 kilometres.
MBDA is involved in the modernisation of the Indian Mirage 2000 fleet, which will upgrade the fighter's capabilities to fire the infrared and electromagnetic versions of the Mica air-to-air missile.
15/02/09 PTI/The Hindu
"We are discussing the development of missiles with Indian agencies in this regard and are hoping for a positive outcome," MBDA spokesperson Mati Hindrekus told PTI at Aero India here.
DRDO had issued a global Request for Proposal (RFP) last year for developing a SR-SAM with range of over 15 kilometres.
If successful, MBDA would co-develop the new missile and launcher, "marrying" technology and capabilities of the European company and the DRDO, he said.Hindrekus said BDL would be the prime contractor and produce and integrate the weapon system. The choice of radar would be an Indian one, he said, adding that the missile would have range of over 15 kilometres.
MBDA is involved in the modernisation of the Indian Mirage 2000 fleet, which will upgrade the fighter's capabilities to fire the infrared and electromagnetic versions of the Mica air-to-air missile.
15/02/09 PTI/The Hindu
Labels: Defense, France, India, MBDA, Surface to Air Missile
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Bangalore: Bird Air Services Pvt. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bird Group, recently signed a comprehensive marketing agreement with Pacific Propeller Intl. (PPI), a global repair and overhaul services provider to several regional airline and military aircraft. The agreement was signed by Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group; Jeff Heikke, President, PPI and Jim Roosevelt, Regional Director Asia Pacific of M/s Pacific Propeller at Aero India 2009, Bangalore.
Under the agreement, PPI will provide its services and products through Bird Air Services Pvt. Ltd. within the Indian Subcontinent. It will also help facilitate Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for propeller based engines for aircraft in India at PPI prop shops. It is estimated that of the total airline expenditure, aircraft operators spend almost 13 per cent on aircraft maintenance and servicing. According to a recent report by Ernst and Young on the Indian aviation sector, MRO spending in India is estimated to rise from USD 440 million in 2007 to USD 1.2 billion in 2017, exhibiting an annual growth of 11.8 per cent.
15/02/09 TravelBizMonitor
Under the agreement, PPI will provide its services and products through Bird Air Services Pvt. Ltd. within the Indian Subcontinent. It will also help facilitate Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for propeller based engines for aircraft in India at PPI prop shops. It is estimated that of the total airline expenditure, aircraft operators spend almost 13 per cent on aircraft maintenance and servicing. According to a recent report by Ernst and Young on the Indian aviation sector, MRO spending in India is estimated to rise from USD 440 million in 2007 to USD 1.2 billion in 2017, exhibiting an annual growth of 11.8 per cent.
15/02/09 TravelBizMonitor
Labels: Bird group, India, MRO, Pacific Propeller
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Bangalore : Like it or not, Suman Sharma, who was the first civilian woman to fly the F-16IN Super-Viper also became the first woman in the world to fly the MiG-35, just minutes after Rakesh Sharma flew the F-18 Super Hornet on Friday at the Yelahanka air base as part of Aero India 2009.
MiG Aircrafts head Mikhail Globenko told TOI: "She is the first woman to fly on the MiG-35. Two reasons convinced us to fly her -- this aircraft is extremely safe and MiG pilots are remarkable. We knew she would be in a safe aircraft and in safe hands. We showed that in 2007 display too. And then we found she was brave, physically fit and ready to take the flight. We have in fact invited her for the Moscow air show in August."
Suman's flight comes in the context of Russian air force not having women fighter pilots at the moment and Russian women not having flown the aircraft. Interestingly, the flight happened on Friday the 13th. "It is a coincidence that we flew her on a military aircraft when we don't have women fighter pilots."
In the rush of personalities that this aero show has seen, Suman who first flew the F-16IN was followed by Abhinav Bindra on the F-16IN and Rakesh Sharma on the F-18. Now Suman herself was back again but this time on the MiG-35.
Suman said MiG authorities were convinced that she could fly as co-pilot and take the gravitational pull as she had already experienced the flight on the F-16 IN. "It was a 42-minute ride and was exciting. We did 20,000 feet at 0.9 mach. The pilot was conversing with me in English and asked me how I felt throughout."
Suman and her pilot did the side rolls and the 360 degree turns and high angle of attack for the manouvres and pulled 7G which has been the highest in this personality-driven flights. "I think the MiG 35 is about power -- tremendous power. You can feel it in flight. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that it is twin engine. The stability and agility seemed remarkable with all the weight."
14/02/09 Prashanth G N/Times of India
MiG Aircrafts head Mikhail Globenko told TOI: "She is the first woman to fly on the MiG-35. Two reasons convinced us to fly her -- this aircraft is extremely safe and MiG pilots are remarkable. We knew she would be in a safe aircraft and in safe hands. We showed that in 2007 display too. And then we found she was brave, physically fit and ready to take the flight. We have in fact invited her for the Moscow air show in August."
Suman's flight comes in the context of Russian air force not having women fighter pilots at the moment and Russian women not having flown the aircraft. Interestingly, the flight happened on Friday the 13th. "It is a coincidence that we flew her on a military aircraft when we don't have women fighter pilots."
In the rush of personalities that this aero show has seen, Suman who first flew the F-16IN was followed by Abhinav Bindra on the F-16IN and Rakesh Sharma on the F-18. Now Suman herself was back again but this time on the MiG-35.
Suman said MiG authorities were convinced that she could fly as co-pilot and take the gravitational pull as she had already experienced the flight on the F-16 IN. "It was a 42-minute ride and was exciting. We did 20,000 feet at 0.9 mach. The pilot was conversing with me in English and asked me how I felt throughout."
Suman and her pilot did the side rolls and the 360 degree turns and high angle of attack for the manouvres and pulled 7G which has been the highest in this personality-driven flights. "I think the MiG 35 is about power -- tremendous power. You can feel it in flight. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that it is twin engine. The stability and agility seemed remarkable with all the weight."
14/02/09 Prashanth G N/Times of India
Labels: India, MiG-35, Russia, Special Events
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Bangalore: Agustawestland, a Finmeccanica company and Tata Sons announced signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for forming an Indian Joint Venture company which will establish a final assembly line for the AW-119 helicopter in India.
The agreement was signed at the Aero India 2009 air show here by Giuseppe Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland and Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons.
The JV company will be responsible for the AW-119 final assembly, completion and delivery to customers worldwide, while AugustaWestland would retain responsibility for worldwide marketing and sales.
The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered from the new facility in 2011, with production forecast to rise to 30 aircraft per year to meet worldwide demand, an AgustaWestland statement said.
13/02/09 PTI/Deccan Herald
The agreement was signed at the Aero India 2009 air show here by Giuseppe Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland and Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons.
The JV company will be responsible for the AW-119 final assembly, completion and delivery to customers worldwide, while AugustaWestland would retain responsibility for worldwide marketing and sales.
The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered from the new facility in 2011, with production forecast to rise to 30 aircraft per year to meet worldwide demand, an AgustaWestland statement said.
13/02/09 PTI/Deccan Herald
Labels: Agustawestland, AW-119 Helicopter, Finmeccanica, India, Tata Sons
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Bangalore: The chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) M. Natarajan today announced that India would test a new version of the Agni series of missiles.
This would be an intermediate range missile that could traverse about 5,500 km. This would be called the Agni-V and would be tested by end of 2010, Natarajan told reporters at the Aero India show here this morning.
Detailing the DRDO plans he said it could develop a medium range combat fighter to follow the light combat aircraft fighter.
On missiles India lags behind China that has in its possession a large number of Inter-continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) capable of reaching targets beyond 10,000 km. In sharp contrast, the most powerful ballistic missile in India’s possession is the Agni-III, designed to reach a target at a distance of 3,000 km, this was successfully fired last May and is ready for induction.
The government has not considered an 8,000-km range ICBM. Agni-V is likely to have solid propellants.
13/02/09 Ajay Banerjee/The Tribune
This would be an intermediate range missile that could traverse about 5,500 km. This would be called the Agni-V and would be tested by end of 2010, Natarajan told reporters at the Aero India show here this morning.
Detailing the DRDO plans he said it could develop a medium range combat fighter to follow the light combat aircraft fighter.
On missiles India lags behind China that has in its possession a large number of Inter-continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) capable of reaching targets beyond 10,000 km. In sharp contrast, the most powerful ballistic missile in India’s possession is the Agni-III, designed to reach a target at a distance of 3,000 km, this was successfully fired last May and is ready for induction.
The government has not considered an 8,000-km range ICBM. Agni-V is likely to have solid propellants.
13/02/09 Ajay Banerjee/The Tribune
Labels: Agni, Defense, India, Surface to Air Missile
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Bangalore: With a view to increasing its surveillance capabilities, Indian Air Force is going to have its own satellite in space by the end of 2010.
"We will launch our satellite by the end of 2010," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said here yesterday.
The satellite to be launched by ISRO next year will be a dual-use satellite and will be used for civilian purposes also. It will help the IAF to position its aerial and ground assets and targets. It would be used to gather navigational information.
In the recent past, IAF has been working closely to develop its space-based capabilities. It even has plans of setting up an Aerospace command under it but it has faced opposition from the other two services over the issue.
Its southern command based in Thiruvananthapuram works closely with ISRO in space related areas. At the air headquarters also, one Air Vice Marshal rank officer looks after space operations.
13/02/09 Press Trust of India/NDTV.com
"We will launch our satellite by the end of 2010," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said here yesterday.
The satellite to be launched by ISRO next year will be a dual-use satellite and will be used for civilian purposes also. It will help the IAF to position its aerial and ground assets and targets. It would be used to gather navigational information.
In the recent past, IAF has been working closely to develop its space-based capabilities. It even has plans of setting up an Aerospace command under it but it has faced opposition from the other two services over the issue.
Its southern command based in Thiruvananthapuram works closely with ISRO in space related areas. At the air headquarters also, one Air Vice Marshal rank officer looks after space operations.
13/02/09 Press Trust of India/NDTV.com
Labels: Defense, India, Satellite
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Bangalore: India would fly its indigenously built supersonic light combat aircraft trainer --Tejas -- in two months for the first time, a senior defence official said here today.
It would be a general purpose dedicated trainer aircraft, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Research and Development Organisation, M Natarajan, told reporters.
This trainer is going to be "far, far superior to Hawk in five-six years," he claimed.
Hawk is the country's present advanced jet trainer aircraft.
Asked about the long-range Agni missile, he said "efforts are on".DRDO is working towards capitalising on the work done in the first and second stages and trying to intelligently repackage both stages by reducing the inter-stage distance and gain that much space for pushing a third motor. These are not simple tasks, he said.
13/02/09 Samay Live
It would be a general purpose dedicated trainer aircraft, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Research and Development Organisation, M Natarajan, told reporters.
This trainer is going to be "far, far superior to Hawk in five-six years," he claimed.
Hawk is the country's present advanced jet trainer aircraft.
Asked about the long-range Agni missile, he said "efforts are on".DRDO is working towards capitalising on the work done in the first and second stages and trying to intelligently repackage both stages by reducing the inter-stage distance and gain that much space for pushing a third motor. These are not simple tasks, he said.
13/02/09 Samay Live
Labels: Defense, IJT, India, Tejas
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Dismissing the need to put any plans on fast track after 26/11, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major said that IAF did not have to do so as the force structuring and weapons catered to all spectrum of needs. The IAF needs the best and is on a large-scale modernization drive. This is being backed with very good government support told the Air Chief speaking to media on the sidelines of the ongoing Aero India 09, at Yehalanka, Bengaluru, today. A lot of hard work within the IAF and with aviation-related agencies from within the country and vendors from other countries is on towards the modernization process, he added.
"Economically the defence-related industries, specially the aerospace industries, both civil and military will continue to bloom', he told commenting on the successful start of the Aero India 09 that got underway on Wednesday. Replying to a query whether with the phasing-out of the Mig-25 the IAF reconnaissance needs were affected, the Air Chief clarified that the role of ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) was a part and parcel of any Air Force and that the IAF has it. He also stated that there are better and efficient ways of getting ISR.
He also informed that the uses of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) are going to increase and IAF is in the process of expanding its UAV fleet. Regarding the declining fighter squadron strength the Air Chief stated that gestation period to acquire aircraft and missile systems is much more than any other weapon platform. However without losing the combat edge against likely adversaries the squadron strength envisaged by 2017 is 34 squadrons and the remaining strength to be achieved by 2020.
13/02/09 Press Information Bureau/Equitybulls To read the news in full | PermaLink
"Economically the defence-related industries, specially the aerospace industries, both civil and military will continue to bloom', he told commenting on the successful start of the Aero India 09 that got underway on Wednesday. Replying to a query whether with the phasing-out of the Mig-25 the IAF reconnaissance needs were affected, the Air Chief clarified that the role of ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) was a part and parcel of any Air Force and that the IAF has it. He also stated that there are better and efficient ways of getting ISR.
He also informed that the uses of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) are going to increase and IAF is in the process of expanding its UAV fleet. Regarding the declining fighter squadron strength the Air Chief stated that gestation period to acquire aircraft and missile systems is much more than any other weapon platform. However without losing the combat edge against likely adversaries the squadron strength envisaged by 2017 is 34 squadrons and the remaining strength to be achieved by 2020.
13/02/09 Press Information Bureau/Equitybulls To read the news in full | PermaLink
At the Aero India 2009 international air show and exhibition FORCE magazine presented the award to Irkut Corporation, prime contractor and coordinator of the Su-30 program, acknowledged as the best program of India’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries in combat aviation.
JSC Sukhoi Company CEO Mikhail Pogosyan received the award on behalf of Sukhoi Design Bureau for the Su-30MKI design and development.
FORCE also recognized the personal contribution of Alexey Fedorov, President of JSC United Aircraft Corporation to Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation within the scope of the Su-30MKI project.
At the ceremony the awards were presented by Prawin Sawhney, editor-in-chief of the FORCE magazine that specializes in covering national security and defense issues.
According to a massive study conducted by experts from this respected Indian publication the Su-30MKI program is the most successful in the history of India’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries, with the aircraft considered one of the top multi-role fighters in the world. The research authors highlight that the Su-30MKI became the first serially produced combat aircraft in the world to feature super-maneuverability conferred by the ultimate aerodynamic layout and TVC engines. A particular appreciation was expressed towards the onboard avionics suite with ESA radar to be the first fitted onto the exported fighter aircraft.
The specialists emphasize the fact that the Su-30MKI is the first combat machine developed outside India in accordance with the strict IAF requirements and produced in cooperation with Indian industry.
Irkut Corporation delivered to India over 100 aircraft and technological kits for their license production by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd.
13/02/09 defpro, Germany
JSC Sukhoi Company CEO Mikhail Pogosyan received the award on behalf of Sukhoi Design Bureau for the Su-30MKI design and development.
FORCE also recognized the personal contribution of Alexey Fedorov, President of JSC United Aircraft Corporation to Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation within the scope of the Su-30MKI project.
At the ceremony the awards were presented by Prawin Sawhney, editor-in-chief of the FORCE magazine that specializes in covering national security and defense issues.
According to a massive study conducted by experts from this respected Indian publication the Su-30MKI program is the most successful in the history of India’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries, with the aircraft considered one of the top multi-role fighters in the world. The research authors highlight that the Su-30MKI became the first serially produced combat aircraft in the world to feature super-maneuverability conferred by the ultimate aerodynamic layout and TVC engines. A particular appreciation was expressed towards the onboard avionics suite with ESA radar to be the first fitted onto the exported fighter aircraft.
The specialists emphasize the fact that the Su-30MKI is the first combat machine developed outside India in accordance with the strict IAF requirements and produced in cooperation with Indian industry.
Irkut Corporation delivered to India over 100 aircraft and technological kits for their license production by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd.
13/02/09 defpro, Germany
Labels: Defense, India, Irkut, Russia, Su-30
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Bangalore: Top defence decision-makers at the Aero India 2009 show in Bangalore have declared repeatedly that the economic slowdown would not impact defence spending, which would continue to rise in absolute terms. Today, India’s first 100 per cent defence-oriented investment fund — named the India Rizing Fund — announced its official launch at this biennial air expo.
The India Rizing Fund is a Rs 750 crore venture capital fund, approved by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for investing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in producing defence equipment. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has approved raising Rs 550 crore from international investors; the fund expects to raise Rs 200 crore from the domestic market.
Rajesh Narayan, the Managing Trustee of the India Rizing Fund explains why, despite depressed economic conditions, he expects the fund to post strong gains. “There is, first of all, strong government encouragement for privatising defence production to the greatest extent possible. This means growing business for private companies, as defence PSUs and Ordnance Factories outsource production to them.”
“In addition, India’s new offset rules demand that foreign defence majors supplying arms to India will have to source defence goods from India, to the tune of 30-50 per cent of the overall contract value. Already, a string of global majors are in talks with Indian defence SMEs for fulfiling those offset obligations.”
Global majors’ offset obligations are expected to amount to about $20 billion over the coming ten years. Just one contract — the procurement of 126 medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA)— will generate offset obligations worth an estimated $6 billion.
The India Rizing Fund is in talks with several global majors, who have a strategic and commercial interest in strengthening the network of SMEs, so that their offset obligations can be fulfiled without difficulty.
14/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard To read the news in full | PermaLink
The India Rizing Fund is a Rs 750 crore venture capital fund, approved by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for investing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in producing defence equipment. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has approved raising Rs 550 crore from international investors; the fund expects to raise Rs 200 crore from the domestic market.
Rajesh Narayan, the Managing Trustee of the India Rizing Fund explains why, despite depressed economic conditions, he expects the fund to post strong gains. “There is, first of all, strong government encouragement for privatising defence production to the greatest extent possible. This means growing business for private companies, as defence PSUs and Ordnance Factories outsource production to them.”
“In addition, India’s new offset rules demand that foreign defence majors supplying arms to India will have to source defence goods from India, to the tune of 30-50 per cent of the overall contract value. Already, a string of global majors are in talks with Indian defence SMEs for fulfiling those offset obligations.”
Global majors’ offset obligations are expected to amount to about $20 billion over the coming ten years. Just one contract — the procurement of 126 medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA)— will generate offset obligations worth an estimated $6 billion.
The India Rizing Fund is in talks with several global majors, who have a strategic and commercial interest in strengthening the network of SMEs, so that their offset obligations can be fulfiled without difficulty.
14/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has orders to deliver 260 to 270 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), christened Dhruv, worth Rs 16,000 crore, its Chairman Ashok Baweja said on Thursday.
He told reporters at the Aero India 2009 that the Bangalore-headquartered defence PSU has an overall order book position in excess of Rs 50,000 crore.
The Union Cabinet has just approved HAL's Light Utility Helicopter project. This helicopter would be of three tonne class,he said.
HAL has bagged an order to deliver three Chetak helicopters to Surinam.
HAL would take up development of Light Combat Aircraft Mark II - which would be a new aircraft - once it delivers 40 units of LCA Mark I - eight limited series production, 20 fighters and 12 trainers.
12/02/09 PTI/Economic Times
He told reporters at the Aero India 2009 that the Bangalore-headquartered defence PSU has an overall order book position in excess of Rs 50,000 crore.
The Union Cabinet has just approved HAL's Light Utility Helicopter project. This helicopter would be of three tonne class,he said.
HAL has bagged an order to deliver three Chetak helicopters to Surinam.
HAL would take up development of Light Combat Aircraft Mark II - which would be a new aircraft - once it delivers 40 units of LCA Mark I - eight limited series production, 20 fighters and 12 trainers.
12/02/09 PTI/Economic Times
Labels: ALH, Defense, HAL, India
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The "Aero India 2009" trade show in Bangalore is the occasion for Turbomeca to report the successful maiden flight of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dhruv helicopter. Featuring two Ardiden 1-H1 series production engines, this flight took place on January 12 at the HAL Helicopter Division, Bangalore, India.
The Ardiden 1H1 engine, to be certified in India under the name "Shakti", demonstrated excellent aeromechanical behavior during this maiden flight, confirming its performance capabilities in demanding flight conditions at altitude on the Leh base in north India. The Ardiden 1H1 has been designed to carry out the most demanding missions at altitude and in hot and cold weather. Developed in cooperation with HAL as part of an industrial partnership agreement signed in February 2003, this engine combines simplicity, state-of-the-art technology, robustness and modernity, and all for a significantly lower cost of ownership in comparison to its competitors.
The Dhruv has a take-off weight of 5,500 kg and will initially equip the Indian Armed forces. Under the February 2003 agreement, several hundred engines are to be produced over the next 10 years.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has ordered 159 Dhruv helicopters to date.
13/02/09 World Aeronautical Press Agency/Avionews
The Ardiden 1H1 engine, to be certified in India under the name "Shakti", demonstrated excellent aeromechanical behavior during this maiden flight, confirming its performance capabilities in demanding flight conditions at altitude on the Leh base in north India. The Ardiden 1H1 has been designed to carry out the most demanding missions at altitude and in hot and cold weather. Developed in cooperation with HAL as part of an industrial partnership agreement signed in February 2003, this engine combines simplicity, state-of-the-art technology, robustness and modernity, and all for a significantly lower cost of ownership in comparison to its competitors.
The Dhruv has a take-off weight of 5,500 kg and will initially equip the Indian Armed forces. Under the February 2003 agreement, several hundred engines are to be produced over the next 10 years.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has ordered 159 Dhruv helicopters to date.
13/02/09 World Aeronautical Press Agency/Avionews
Labels: Ardiden 1H1, Defense, Dhruv, Engines, France, India, Safran, Turbimeca
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Bangalore: Minister of State for Defence Mr M M Pallam Raju, released a report titled " Changing Dynamics – India's Aerospace Industry" on the second day of "Aero India 2009" organised by Defence Exhibition Organisation of Ministry of Defence in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).This is the first such report on the industry. It gives a snapshot of the current scenario, opportunities, challenges and the direction for the future. The report was prepared with the joint efforts of CII and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). Lack of any credible benchmarks and authenticated figures on the Aerospace Industry in Indiaare the main drivers for CII to initiate and bring out the report. The report documents the capabilities of Aerospace manufacturing and Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) industry.
The report clearly states that the process of transformation has begun and Indian Aerospace industry players can look forward to take advantage of the new opportunities emerging from global scenario.
Releasing the report Mr M M Pallam Raju said, though Aero India in Bangaloreand Def Expo in Delhishowcase the capabilities and provide leads to emerging opportunities, there has been no comprehensive data till now which can be used by an entrepreneur to make their investment plans in the sector. "This report has not only filled that gap but also has given the directions to approach the market," he said.
Indian Aerospace Industry consists of Civil and Defence segments. The former is driven by general industrial growth and the increase in air travelers whereas the latter is driven by threats around the country and the need to modernize the armed forces.
Though currently the Indian Aerospace Industry is primarily driven by Government and PSUs, there are opportunities in public as well as private sectors in the entire life cycle from designing to building. Indian Aerospace Industry is one of the fastest growing aerospace markets in the world and has been attracting major global aerospace companies across the globe. OEMs are moving from vertically integrated manufacturing to design and systems integration.
"Indian aerospace is one of the fastest-growing aerospace markets in the world driven by continued economic growth resulting in growing passenger traffic and domestic aircraft demand. Indiais poised to become a manufacturing destination. The key drivers include liberal investment policies in civil aviation and defence, a proactive defence offset policy, a strong manufacturing base, cost advantages, a well educated talent pool, global competitiveness in IT and an attractive special economic zones law. It also has the potential to become a MRO destination due to labour cost competitiveness, availability of specialist capabilities and its locational advantages," says the report.
12/02/09 PRESS RELEASE/Aero India To read the news in full | PermaLink
The report clearly states that the process of transformation has begun and Indian Aerospace industry players can look forward to take advantage of the new opportunities emerging from global scenario.
Releasing the report Mr M M Pallam Raju said, though Aero India in Bangaloreand Def Expo in Delhishowcase the capabilities and provide leads to emerging opportunities, there has been no comprehensive data till now which can be used by an entrepreneur to make their investment plans in the sector. "This report has not only filled that gap but also has given the directions to approach the market," he said.
Indian Aerospace Industry consists of Civil and Defence segments. The former is driven by general industrial growth and the increase in air travelers whereas the latter is driven by threats around the country and the need to modernize the armed forces.
Though currently the Indian Aerospace Industry is primarily driven by Government and PSUs, there are opportunities in public as well as private sectors in the entire life cycle from designing to building. Indian Aerospace Industry is one of the fastest growing aerospace markets in the world and has been attracting major global aerospace companies across the globe. OEMs are moving from vertically integrated manufacturing to design and systems integration.
"Indian aerospace is one of the fastest-growing aerospace markets in the world driven by continued economic growth resulting in growing passenger traffic and domestic aircraft demand. Indiais poised to become a manufacturing destination. The key drivers include liberal investment policies in civil aviation and defence, a proactive defence offset policy, a strong manufacturing base, cost advantages, a well educated talent pool, global competitiveness in IT and an attractive special economic zones law. It also has the potential to become a MRO destination due to labour cost competitiveness, availability of specialist capabilities and its locational advantages," says the report.
12/02/09 PRESS RELEASE/Aero India To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major on Thursday said unused airstrips in the country posed a serious security threat and appealed to the state government to provide them adequate security.
Major told reporters at Aero India that these airstrips, which number upto 500, could be used by terrorists to operate small aircraft.
“The unused airstrips can be used for not so honest purposes and being a state subject, the Home Ministry has asked the state governments to secure them,” he said.
With India’s air defence surveillance a bit weak and IAF having a few glitches at low-level radar coverage, threat perception should be viewed seriously.
Admitting that IAF squadron strength was below sanctioned strength, he said at the moment, the squadron strength is 34 as against sanctioned strength of thirty-nine-and-half.
He also said IAF would like fewer types of aircraft instead of a diversified fleet as in the case now.
13/02/09 ExpressBuzz To read the news in full | PermaLink
Major told reporters at Aero India that these airstrips, which number upto 500, could be used by terrorists to operate small aircraft.
“The unused airstrips can be used for not so honest purposes and being a state subject, the Home Ministry has asked the state governments to secure them,” he said.
With India’s air defence surveillance a bit weak and IAF having a few glitches at low-level radar coverage, threat perception should be viewed seriously.
Admitting that IAF squadron strength was below sanctioned strength, he said at the moment, the squadron strength is 34 as against sanctioned strength of thirty-nine-and-half.
He also said IAF would like fewer types of aircraft instead of a diversified fleet as in the case now.
13/02/09 ExpressBuzz To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: Recession seems to be working positively in a way for the State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, which says it has got back 450 of its former employees after it advertised jobs for them.
Also, some 50,000 candidates flocked for 250 vacancies at the defence major recently. “If you want to work with us, you have a 1-in-250 chance,” the HAL Chairman, Mr Ashok Baweja, said at a news briefing at Aero India here on Thursday.
“We were desperate for people with more experience and when we advertised, we got 450 people back. You can find them manning our joint ventures with Edgewood, Samtel and Elbit Systems,” he said.
The second PSU pay committee’s recommendations did the trick, according to Mr Sanjiv Sahi, Director, HR. The committee late last year recommended 30-40 per cent upward revision of pay scales for PSU staff.
HAL has 34,000 staff and will keep it at that level. People requirements for its large and emerging jobs can anyway be met by outsourcing, Mr Baweja said.
13/02/09 Business Line To read the news in full | PermaLink
Also, some 50,000 candidates flocked for 250 vacancies at the defence major recently. “If you want to work with us, you have a 1-in-250 chance,” the HAL Chairman, Mr Ashok Baweja, said at a news briefing at Aero India here on Thursday.
“We were desperate for people with more experience and when we advertised, we got 450 people back. You can find them manning our joint ventures with Edgewood, Samtel and Elbit Systems,” he said.
The second PSU pay committee’s recommendations did the trick, according to Mr Sanjiv Sahi, Director, HR. The committee late last year recommended 30-40 per cent upward revision of pay scales for PSU staff.
HAL has 34,000 staff and will keep it at that level. People requirements for its large and emerging jobs can anyway be met by outsourcing, Mr Baweja said.
13/02/09 Business Line To read the news in full | PermaLink
New Delhi: India and Russia have decided to set up a 50:50 joint venture (JV) in the next few months to develop a multi-role transport aircraft at an estimated cost of USD 600 million.
Announcing this Thursday in India's southern city of Bangalore, President and Chairman of United Aircraft Corporation (of Russia) Alexey I. Fedorov said his country will soon identify the firm which would work along with Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop the aircraft.
"Within a few months, the joint venture will be in place," Indian wire agency United News of India (UNI) quoted him as saying.
The jointly developed transport aircraft would be inducted into the Russian and Indian Air Force, he said on the sidelines of the ongoing South Asia's biggest airshow in Bangalore "Aero India 2009."
12/02/09 Khabrein
Announcing this Thursday in India's southern city of Bangalore, President and Chairman of United Aircraft Corporation (of Russia) Alexey I. Fedorov said his country will soon identify the firm which would work along with Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop the aircraft.
"Within a few months, the joint venture will be in place," Indian wire agency United News of India (UNI) quoted him as saying.
The jointly developed transport aircraft would be inducted into the Russian and Indian Air Force, he said on the sidelines of the ongoing South Asia's biggest airshow in Bangalore "Aero India 2009."
12/02/09 Khabrein
Labels: Defense, HAL, India, Russia, Transport
To read the news in full | PermaLink
The country’s premier agency in the aviation sector, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) will be handing over NISHANT, it’s first indigenously made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Indian Army very soon. NISHANT, which means ‘end of darkness’ is a tactical UAV and can be employed in tactical areas in a local domain. “The limited series production is specially prepared for Indian Army as per their requirements. The confirmatory trials of NISHANT are planned and it is ready for delivery”, Project Director, ADE, Shri G Srinivasa Murthy said.
ADE has also embarked upon an ambitious programme to build another UAV with Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) that has multi-mission capability. RUSTOM, named after Rustom Damania, who was instrumental in conceptualizing the idea, will have 300 km range with 200 kg payload. According to Shri Murthy, RUSTOM will be in a flying stage in about 3 years. With an endurance level of more than 24 hours, this UAV can be used by all three armed forces. RUSTOM can be useful in reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition and designation, communications relay and signal intelligence. ADE has acquired about 4200 acres of land in Chitragurga district in Karnataka which is being developed for test range only for UAV.
The tactical highlights of NISHANT include multi-mission day/night capability using advance payloads, jam resistant command link and digital down link.
Prototypes of both UAVs are displayed at the ongoing Aero India 2009 at Yelahanka air base in Bangaluru.
12/02/09 Web News Wire
ADE has also embarked upon an ambitious programme to build another UAV with Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) that has multi-mission capability. RUSTOM, named after Rustom Damania, who was instrumental in conceptualizing the idea, will have 300 km range with 200 kg payload. According to Shri Murthy, RUSTOM will be in a flying stage in about 3 years. With an endurance level of more than 24 hours, this UAV can be used by all three armed forces. RUSTOM can be useful in reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition and designation, communications relay and signal intelligence. ADE has acquired about 4200 acres of land in Chitragurga district in Karnataka which is being developed for test range only for UAV.
The tactical highlights of NISHANT include multi-mission day/night capability using advance payloads, jam resistant command link and digital down link.
Prototypes of both UAVs are displayed at the ongoing Aero India 2009 at Yelahanka air base in Bangaluru.
12/02/09 Web News Wire
Labels: Defense, India, Nishant, UAV
To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile will be commissioned by the Indian air force in 2012, the head of the BrahMos Aerospace company said on Thursday.
Established in 1998, BrahMos Aerospace, a joint Indian-Russian venture, produces and markets BrahMos supersonic missiles, whose sea-based and land-based versions have been successfully tested and put into service with the Indian army and navy.
"The [BrahMos] missile will be put in service in 2012," the company's CEO, Sivathanu Pillai said, presenting the airborne version of the missile at the Aero India-2009 air show in India.
The BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km (180 miles) and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg (660 pounds). It can effectively engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 meters (30 feet) and has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times faster than the U.S.-made subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.
"For the airborne version...we had to reduce the mass of the missile and to ensure aerodynamic stability after its separation from the aircraft. The air-launched platform has its own initial speed during the launch of the missile, so we have reduced the size of the booster. Now the missile is ready," Pillai told RIA Novosti in an exclusive interview last year.
The Indian Air Force had chosen Russian-made SU-30 MKI Flanker-H multirole fighter as a trial platform for the missile, but it will take up to four years to complete the upgrade of the aircraft so that it can carry and launch BrahMos missiles, the official added.
12/02/09 RIAN.ru
Established in 1998, BrahMos Aerospace, a joint Indian-Russian venture, produces and markets BrahMos supersonic missiles, whose sea-based and land-based versions have been successfully tested and put into service with the Indian army and navy.
"The [BrahMos] missile will be put in service in 2012," the company's CEO, Sivathanu Pillai said, presenting the airborne version of the missile at the Aero India-2009 air show in India.
The BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km (180 miles) and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg (660 pounds). It can effectively engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 meters (30 feet) and has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times faster than the U.S.-made subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.
"For the airborne version...we had to reduce the mass of the missile and to ensure aerodynamic stability after its separation from the aircraft. The air-launched platform has its own initial speed during the launch of the missile, so we have reduced the size of the booster. Now the missile is ready," Pillai told RIA Novosti in an exclusive interview last year.
The Indian Air Force had chosen Russian-made SU-30 MKI Flanker-H multirole fighter as a trial platform for the missile, but it will take up to four years to complete the upgrade of the aircraft so that it can carry and launch BrahMos missiles, the official added.
12/02/09 RIAN.ru
Labels: BrahMos, Defense, India, Russia
To read the news in full | PermaLink
The company has set up a new business division, Aerospace Manufacturing Division, to manufacture a host of components and aggregates.
According to V Mohan, director (defence business), BEML, the company is looking at a business worth Rs 100 crore in the next two years from the offset business opportunities.
"We are already in the business of making ground support equipment like aircraft towing tractors, automatic weapon loaders and crash fire tenders. We want to enlarge the product base in this sector by getting into the manufacture of various aerospace components and aggregates as we have a necessary machine shop and equipment ready at KGF and Mysore units," he said
Talking to Business Standard on the sidelines of Aero India 2009, here today, he said the company is currently in talks with several aerospace companies and is likely to enter into memorandum of understanding with them shortly.
"There is a big opportunity available as part of the offset business and we want to explore them as part of our diversification plans," he said.
BEML wants to manufacture a wide range of ground support equipment, small structures, gear and transmission aggregates among others. "The location for setting up a new manufacturing complex for aerospace components will be decided based on what type of components will be awarded to us by the customers," he said.
The company has recently exported 5 units of aircraft towing tractors to Honduras worth Rs 1.5 crore and is expecting more export orders.
12/02/09 Mahesh Kulkarni/Business Standard To read the news in full | PermaLink
According to V Mohan, director (defence business), BEML, the company is looking at a business worth Rs 100 crore in the next two years from the offset business opportunities.
"We are already in the business of making ground support equipment like aircraft towing tractors, automatic weapon loaders and crash fire tenders. We want to enlarge the product base in this sector by getting into the manufacture of various aerospace components and aggregates as we have a necessary machine shop and equipment ready at KGF and Mysore units," he said
Talking to Business Standard on the sidelines of Aero India 2009, here today, he said the company is currently in talks with several aerospace companies and is likely to enter into memorandum of understanding with them shortly.
"There is a big opportunity available as part of the offset business and we want to explore them as part of our diversification plans," he said.
BEML wants to manufacture a wide range of ground support equipment, small structures, gear and transmission aggregates among others. "The location for setting up a new manufacturing complex for aerospace components will be decided based on what type of components will be awarded to us by the customers," he said.
The company has recently exported 5 units of aircraft towing tractors to Honduras worth Rs 1.5 crore and is expecting more export orders.
12/02/09 Mahesh Kulkarni/Business Standard To read the news in full | PermaLink
India plans to begin work on an upgraded version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, with industry aiming to start deliveries of these "Mark II" aircraft after the first 40 have been manufactured.
"The LCA Mark 2 will have a bigger and more powerful engine, the fuselage will be changed, it will have bigger wings, and the aircraft will be more aerodynamic," says Hindustan Aeronautics chairman Ashok Baweja, whose company manufactures the fighter. "There are upgrades down the line in every global fighter programme and that is the case with the Tejas as well."
He adds that HAL will deliver 40 LCAs to the Indian Air Force in the Mark I configuration - 20 in the fighter configuration and 20 in the trainer configuration. The IAF is expected to eventually order up to 220 LCAs and the Indian navy another 20, and the remaining aircraft will be in the Mark II configuration.
A naval version of the LCA will fly within a year, although this version of the aircraft still faces numerous challenges, says Baweja.
The Tejas, which was developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, has been in the works for more than a decade. It has faced several delays due to problems with the aircraft's design and the development of an indigenous engine. The IAF refused to commit to the LCA until 2003, and has only ordered 20 due to worries about the aircraft's capabilities.
12/02/09 Flight International
"The LCA Mark 2 will have a bigger and more powerful engine, the fuselage will be changed, it will have bigger wings, and the aircraft will be more aerodynamic," says Hindustan Aeronautics chairman Ashok Baweja, whose company manufactures the fighter. "There are upgrades down the line in every global fighter programme and that is the case with the Tejas as well."
He adds that HAL will deliver 40 LCAs to the Indian Air Force in the Mark I configuration - 20 in the fighter configuration and 20 in the trainer configuration. The IAF is expected to eventually order up to 220 LCAs and the Indian navy another 20, and the remaining aircraft will be in the Mark II configuration.
A naval version of the LCA will fly within a year, although this version of the aircraft still faces numerous challenges, says Baweja.
The Tejas, which was developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, has been in the works for more than a decade. It has faced several delays due to problems with the aircraft's design and the development of an indigenous engine. The IAF refused to commit to the LCA until 2003, and has only ordered 20 due to worries about the aircraft's capabilities.
12/02/09 Flight International
Labels: Defense, HAL, India, LCA
To read the news in full | PermaLink
Among the indigenous products which are being unveiled for the first time at the Aero India 2009 is the Defence Research Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Rustom.
A markup of Rustom is being showcased at the Aero India 2009 along with other DRDO products.
Rustom which has a wingspan of 20 metres and weighs 1,800 kg, unlike other DRDO developed Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) like Lakshya and Nishant will be launched by the conventional method and not the launcher as in the case of the Lakshya and Nishant.
DRDO is awaiting clearance from the government and is expected to shortly take up the project.
The Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is being developed by DRDO for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.
Rustom will replace/ supplement the Heron UAVs in service that are with the Indian armed forces.
The Rustom will be competing against the BAE Systems’ Mantis which is unveiled for the first time during the show.
Mantis, a new autonomous UAV, being developed by BAE Systems, will be making its international debut at the show. A full-size Mantis and Herti will grace the area outside the BAE Systems pavilion.
12/02/09 ExpressBuzz To read the news in full | PermaLink
A markup of Rustom is being showcased at the Aero India 2009 along with other DRDO products.
Rustom which has a wingspan of 20 metres and weighs 1,800 kg, unlike other DRDO developed Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) like Lakshya and Nishant will be launched by the conventional method and not the launcher as in the case of the Lakshya and Nishant.
DRDO is awaiting clearance from the government and is expected to shortly take up the project.
The Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is being developed by DRDO for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.
Rustom will replace/ supplement the Heron UAVs in service that are with the Indian armed forces.
The Rustom will be competing against the BAE Systems’ Mantis which is unveiled for the first time during the show.
Mantis, a new autonomous UAV, being developed by BAE Systems, will be making its international debut at the show. A full-size Mantis and Herti will grace the area outside the BAE Systems pavilion.
12/02/09 ExpressBuzz To read the news in full | PermaLink
Particularly after 2007, the activities related technology upgradations, modernizations and new inductions are taking place more rapidly than ever before In Indian Air Force. This is being achieved with the co-ordinated efforts of Indian and Foreign Aviation Industry with Defence Forces. Mr Fali H Major, Air Chief Marshal of Indiagave a detailed account of modernization process speaking to media on the second day of "Aero India 2009" which is being organized by Defence Exhibition Organisation (Ministry of Defence) in association with Confederation of Indian Industriy (CII).
"The environment around Indiacreated the need for making Indian Air Force more credible by resorting to rapid modernization. The 'Aero India 2009' mirrored the environment in the air as there are many technology platforms on display compared to the Aero India 2007," Air Chief explained. "This environment will drive Indian Aero Space Industry to prosper in the coming years," he added.
Air Chief outlined Air Power is not just the ability to fight or bomb some places, but it lies in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacities, which are being improved on a continuous basis. In this regard, Indiais already using unmanned ultra light flying machines and efforts are going on to make their payloads as effective as possible.
" Though the declining number of fighting squadrons is an issue, there is no need to get alarmed, as the reason behind it is inducting newer technologies and fighting capabilities, which makes the ability more important than sheer numbers," Mr Fali H Major further stated. But coming to number, Indiawill achieve the Government authorized figure of 39 and half squadrons from the current level of 34 which may even decline a bit due to phasing out and modernizing operations. The reason for this is long gestation period required to acquire new radars, aircraft, or platforms, "Air Chief said.
Replying to questions on strategies post 26/11, Air Chief stated, there is no change in our strategies as we are prepared for all kinds of eventualities including the ones posed by such incidents at micro level. He said though there are gaps in covering entire country with radars, even now we can focus on even smaller places whenever we want.
"Currently, managing huge inventories is an issue due to the fact that we are using varied platforms, fighter planes and support system. When we bring this, hopefully in the next few years, we will use less than 4 or 5 main fighter planes and transport carriers, we can bring down the inventory levels and effectively manage it. "said Mr Fali H Major.
"Air Chief admitted that several unused air strips pose threat to country's security, but securing them is the responsibility of the respective state governments," he added.
12/02/09 PRESS RELEASE/Aero India To read the news in full | PermaLink
"The environment around Indiacreated the need for making Indian Air Force more credible by resorting to rapid modernization. The 'Aero India 2009' mirrored the environment in the air as there are many technology platforms on display compared to the Aero India 2007," Air Chief explained. "This environment will drive Indian Aero Space Industry to prosper in the coming years," he added.
Air Chief outlined Air Power is not just the ability to fight or bomb some places, but it lies in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacities, which are being improved on a continuous basis. In this regard, Indiais already using unmanned ultra light flying machines and efforts are going on to make their payloads as effective as possible.
" Though the declining number of fighting squadrons is an issue, there is no need to get alarmed, as the reason behind it is inducting newer technologies and fighting capabilities, which makes the ability more important than sheer numbers," Mr Fali H Major further stated. But coming to number, Indiawill achieve the Government authorized figure of 39 and half squadrons from the current level of 34 which may even decline a bit due to phasing out and modernizing operations. The reason for this is long gestation period required to acquire new radars, aircraft, or platforms, "Air Chief said.
Replying to questions on strategies post 26/11, Air Chief stated, there is no change in our strategies as we are prepared for all kinds of eventualities including the ones posed by such incidents at micro level. He said though there are gaps in covering entire country with radars, even now we can focus on even smaller places whenever we want.
"Currently, managing huge inventories is an issue due to the fact that we are using varied platforms, fighter planes and support system. When we bring this, hopefully in the next few years, we will use less than 4 or 5 main fighter planes and transport carriers, we can bring down the inventory levels and effectively manage it. "said Mr Fali H Major.
"Air Chief admitted that several unused air strips pose threat to country's security, but securing them is the responsibility of the respective state governments," he added.
12/02/09 PRESS RELEASE/Aero India To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: Although more cautious than the all-out performances of the established fighters, Tejas, the Indian-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), went far beyond anything it had ever displayed before, surprising the spectators with steep climbs, an inverted pass, high-gravity turns and loops.
But even amidst success, the Tejas is struggling to overcome major development hurdles. Its maker, Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken the crucial decision to bring in a design consultant, a global aerospace major that would assist Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to overcome persistent design glitches that dog the LCA, including fuel distribution, uneven braking, flight controls, environment controls and testing.
And while US-based Boeing has declined to supply such know-how, German-Spanish consortium, EADS, one of the makers of the Eurofighter, has aggressively pursued the consultancy as a way of flying into the Indian market.
In multiple interviews with senior Indian and EADS officials, who requested anonymity, Business Standard has pieced together the EADS strategy. The company has decided to supply India with high technology for Indian products that are not directly competing with an EADS product. The Tejas is not in the same category as the heavier Eurofighter.
Having established its presence in the Tejas programme, EADS is confident that it would be well positioned to get its Eurojet EJ200 engine accepted for the Tejas. India is currently deciding between the EJ200 and the GE-414 engine for powering future squadrons of the Tejas. And EADS believes that winning the contract for the EJ200 engine, and producing it in India, would position it perfectly for the lucrative medium fighter contract; twin EJ200 engines power the Eurofighter.
While willing to part with the technology assistance needed to get the LCA over its hump, EADS worries about the possibility of eventually being held responsible for a possible failure in the Tejas development.
“Let’s be clear that we are not underwriting the LCA programme," says a senior European official related with the contract. The contract with EADS is expected to be signed shortly.
The German and Spanish governments have already permitted EADS to part with the technology needed for the Tejas programme; the US government, in contrast, imposed stringent restrictions on Boeing.
12/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard
But even amidst success, the Tejas is struggling to overcome major development hurdles. Its maker, Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken the crucial decision to bring in a design consultant, a global aerospace major that would assist Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to overcome persistent design glitches that dog the LCA, including fuel distribution, uneven braking, flight controls, environment controls and testing.
And while US-based Boeing has declined to supply such know-how, German-Spanish consortium, EADS, one of the makers of the Eurofighter, has aggressively pursued the consultancy as a way of flying into the Indian market.
In multiple interviews with senior Indian and EADS officials, who requested anonymity, Business Standard has pieced together the EADS strategy. The company has decided to supply India with high technology for Indian products that are not directly competing with an EADS product. The Tejas is not in the same category as the heavier Eurofighter.
Having established its presence in the Tejas programme, EADS is confident that it would be well positioned to get its Eurojet EJ200 engine accepted for the Tejas. India is currently deciding between the EJ200 and the GE-414 engine for powering future squadrons of the Tejas. And EADS believes that winning the contract for the EJ200 engine, and producing it in India, would position it perfectly for the lucrative medium fighter contract; twin EJ200 engines power the Eurofighter.
While willing to part with the technology assistance needed to get the LCA over its hump, EADS worries about the possibility of eventually being held responsible for a possible failure in the Tejas development.
“Let’s be clear that we are not underwriting the LCA programme," says a senior European official related with the contract. The contract with EADS is expected to be signed shortly.
The German and Spanish governments have already permitted EADS to part with the technology needed for the Tejas programme; the US government, in contrast, imposed stringent restrictions on Boeing.
12/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard
Labels: Defense, EADS, Eurofighter Typhoon, Europe, India, Tejas
To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: France is ready to transfer technology of its surface-to-air missile to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India so that this country can build its own version, French Minister of State for Defence Jean-Marie Bockel said today.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of air show, Aero India 2009, he said the offer is currently under discussions with Indian authorities.
On the absence of Rafale, made by France's Dassault Aviation, one of the contenders for India's 126 fighter jets contract, from the show, he said Rafale is on display back in France and is available for those who want to test it.
"All the Rafale that could have been sent to India for this air show...Are presently in (combat) operation in Afghanistan", he said.
"Rafale will be present at all stages of evaluation (in India in its bid for the contract) and we believe it's the best plane available", Bockel said.
12/01/09 Press Trust of India
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of air show, Aero India 2009, he said the offer is currently under discussions with Indian authorities.
On the absence of Rafale, made by France's Dassault Aviation, one of the contenders for India's 126 fighter jets contract, from the show, he said Rafale is on display back in France and is available for those who want to test it.
"All the Rafale that could have been sent to India for this air show...Are presently in (combat) operation in Afghanistan", he said.
"Rafale will be present at all stages of evaluation (in India in its bid for the contract) and we believe it's the best plane available", Bockel said.
12/01/09 Press Trust of India
Labels: France, India, Rafale, Surface to Air Missile
To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: Although more cautious than the all-out performances of the established fighters, Tejas, the Indian-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), went far beyond anything it had ever displayed before, surprising the spectators with steep climbs, an inverted pass, high-gravity turns and loops.
But even amidst success, the Tejas is struggling to overcome major development hurdles. Its maker, Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken the crucial decision to bring in a design consultant, a global aerospace major that would assist Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to overcome persistent design glitches that dog the LCA, including fuel distribution, uneven braking, flight controls, environment controls and testing.
And while US-based Boeing has declined to supply such know-how, German-Spanish consortium, EADS, one of the makers of the Eurofighter, has aggressively pursued the consultancy as a way of flying into the Indian market.
In multiple interviews with senior Indian and EADS officials, who requested anonymity, Business Standard has pieced together the EADS strategy. The company has decided to supply India with high technology for Indian products that are not directly competing with an EADS product. The Tejas is not in the same category as the heavier Eurofighter.
Having established its presence in the Tejas programme, EADS is confident that it would be well positioned to get its Eurojet EJ200 engine accepted for the Tejas. India is currently deciding between the EJ200 and the GE-414 engine for powering future squadrons of the Tejas. And EADS believes that winning the contract for the EJ200 engine, and producing it in India, would position it perfectly for the lucrative medium fighter contract; twin EJ200 engines power the Eurofighter.
While willing to part with the technology assistance needed to get the LCA over its hump, EADS worries about the possibility of eventually being held responsible for a possible failure in the Tejas development.
“Let’s be clear that we are not underwriting the LCA programme," says a senior European official related with the contract. The contract with EADS is expected to be signed shortly.
The German and Spanish governments have already permitted EADS to part with the technology needed for the Tejas programme; the US government, in contrast, imposed stringent restrictions on Boeing.
12/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard
But even amidst success, the Tejas is struggling to overcome major development hurdles. Its maker, Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken the crucial decision to bring in a design consultant, a global aerospace major that would assist Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to overcome persistent design glitches that dog the LCA, including fuel distribution, uneven braking, flight controls, environment controls and testing.
And while US-based Boeing has declined to supply such know-how, German-Spanish consortium, EADS, one of the makers of the Eurofighter, has aggressively pursued the consultancy as a way of flying into the Indian market.
In multiple interviews with senior Indian and EADS officials, who requested anonymity, Business Standard has pieced together the EADS strategy. The company has decided to supply India with high technology for Indian products that are not directly competing with an EADS product. The Tejas is not in the same category as the heavier Eurofighter.
Having established its presence in the Tejas programme, EADS is confident that it would be well positioned to get its Eurojet EJ200 engine accepted for the Tejas. India is currently deciding between the EJ200 and the GE-414 engine for powering future squadrons of the Tejas. And EADS believes that winning the contract for the EJ200 engine, and producing it in India, would position it perfectly for the lucrative medium fighter contract; twin EJ200 engines power the Eurofighter.
While willing to part with the technology assistance needed to get the LCA over its hump, EADS worries about the possibility of eventually being held responsible for a possible failure in the Tejas development.
“Let’s be clear that we are not underwriting the LCA programme," says a senior European official related with the contract. The contract with EADS is expected to be signed shortly.
The German and Spanish governments have already permitted EADS to part with the technology needed for the Tejas programme; the US government, in contrast, imposed stringent restrictions on Boeing.
12/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard
Labels: Defense, Eurofighter, Europe, India, LCA, Tejas
To read the news in full | PermaLink
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will display the export version of the indigenously designed and developed advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv for the first time at the seventh edition of the international air show, Aero India 2009, starting here on February 11.
“This is for the first time that the export version of the ALH will be on display,” secretary (defence production) Pradeep Kumar told reporters, here today. The exhibition of the export version of the ALH at Aero India 2009 is significant with the public sector undertaking HAL set to to export five helicopters to Ecuador. “The deal has been finalised to export five Dhruv helicopters to Ecuador and the air chief of the Ecuador air force will be here for the airshow to collect the keys,” Kumar said.
However, he added that Afghanistan and Malaysia, which had earlier shown interest in the flagship helicopter of the HAL, had not made any export request. “We are in talks with Mauritious and Suriname for the export orders,” Kumar added. Besides there will also be many firsts to the seventh edition of the air show. Following the success of India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has also opened a pavilion at the air show.
11/02/09 Business Standard
“This is for the first time that the export version of the ALH will be on display,” secretary (defence production) Pradeep Kumar told reporters, here today. The exhibition of the export version of the ALH at Aero India 2009 is significant with the public sector undertaking HAL set to to export five helicopters to Ecuador. “The deal has been finalised to export five Dhruv helicopters to Ecuador and the air chief of the Ecuador air force will be here for the airshow to collect the keys,” Kumar said.
However, he added that Afghanistan and Malaysia, which had earlier shown interest in the flagship helicopter of the HAL, had not made any export request. “We are in talks with Mauritious and Suriname for the export orders,” Kumar added. Besides there will also be many firsts to the seventh edition of the air show. Following the success of India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has also opened a pavilion at the air show.
11/02/09 Business Standard
Labels: Defense, Dhruv, HAL, India
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The defence ministry has asked its star firm to pull out a trainer aircraft from Aero India 2009 because it is not sure the plane can fly.
The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) is being produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore since March 1999. It is supposed to replace the ageing Kiran aircraft that is flown by cadets training to be fighter pilots. The Indian Air Force was scheduled to have received 150 IJTs from HAL in 2005-06.
“They are not going to fly the IJT this year,” defence production secretary Pradeep Kumar said. “HAL wants to be sure about it being ready to fly.”
The IJT was a major embarrassment for the defence ministry — the host of the show in which all global aviation majors participate — in Aero India 2007 when HAL’s chief test (fixed wing) pilot squadron leader, Baldev Singh, who was taxiing out for a demo, suddenly felt the aircraft give away under him. The plane keeled over on a wing.
Singh was again in the IJT just last Saturday, with test pilot Wing Commander C. Subramaniam, when the plane they had flown on a routine sortie suddenly sat down on its belly at Yelahanka air force base — the venue of Aero India — after landing.
The IJT project has overshot all cost and time lines. It is being refitted with a Russian AL 551 engine. The aircraft had its maiden flight in March 2003 but has not got an initial operational clearance yet.
10/02/09 Sujan Dutta/The Telegraph
The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) is being produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore since March 1999. It is supposed to replace the ageing Kiran aircraft that is flown by cadets training to be fighter pilots. The Indian Air Force was scheduled to have received 150 IJTs from HAL in 2005-06.
“They are not going to fly the IJT this year,” defence production secretary Pradeep Kumar said. “HAL wants to be sure about it being ready to fly.”
The IJT was a major embarrassment for the defence ministry — the host of the show in which all global aviation majors participate — in Aero India 2007 when HAL’s chief test (fixed wing) pilot squadron leader, Baldev Singh, who was taxiing out for a demo, suddenly felt the aircraft give away under him. The plane keeled over on a wing.
Singh was again in the IJT just last Saturday, with test pilot Wing Commander C. Subramaniam, when the plane they had flown on a routine sortie suddenly sat down on its belly at Yelahanka air force base — the venue of Aero India — after landing.
The IJT project has overshot all cost and time lines. It is being refitted with a Russian AL 551 engine. The aircraft had its maiden flight in March 2003 but has not got an initial operational clearance yet.
10/02/09 Sujan Dutta/The Telegraph
Labels: Defense, HAL, IJT, India
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Bangalore: This year's Aero India show will be the largest ever with 592 companies from 25 countries showcasing their latest products, but a series of delays, production hitches and an air crash have hit the Indian participation at the prestigious military air exposition. While no new Indian products will be on display, even older "in development" products will give the air show a miss.
For starters, the indigenous effort to develop an Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) by HAL received a jolt just days before the air show. One of the two flying prototypes of the aircraft crashlanded on the runway after a routine test flight, writing it off for the Aero India show. The project, which has been delayed for close to five years already, also had a similar spell of bad luck at the last air show in 2007 when the other flying prototype crashed during take-off in full view of the participants.
Defence Production Secretary Pradeep Kumar admitted that while HAL was planning to bring in the trainer for a demo flight, it was called off after more tests were required for the aircraft.
Another aircraft to be put up by HAL will be the 'indigenously manufactured' Hawk trainer for the Indian Air Force. While an 'indigenous' Hawk will be on display at HAL's pavilion, the trainer has been dogged by a serious delay over the past few months with problems of delivery of spare parts from the UK-based BAE company. Sources say BAE is holding up supplies of certain components which has delayed the aircraft production at the Indian facility. While the UK-manufactured trainers have already come in, the lack of parts means that IAF has to do without the optimum number of trainers required.
As highlighted by The Indian Express, the trainer had been hit by a series of quality problems after it was inducted at the Bidar air base, prompting the IAF to take up the issue with BAE.
10/02/09 Manu Pubby/Indian Express
For starters, the indigenous effort to develop an Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) by HAL received a jolt just days before the air show. One of the two flying prototypes of the aircraft crashlanded on the runway after a routine test flight, writing it off for the Aero India show. The project, which has been delayed for close to five years already, also had a similar spell of bad luck at the last air show in 2007 when the other flying prototype crashed during take-off in full view of the participants.
Defence Production Secretary Pradeep Kumar admitted that while HAL was planning to bring in the trainer for a demo flight, it was called off after more tests were required for the aircraft.
Another aircraft to be put up by HAL will be the 'indigenously manufactured' Hawk trainer for the Indian Air Force. While an 'indigenous' Hawk will be on display at HAL's pavilion, the trainer has been dogged by a serious delay over the past few months with problems of delivery of spare parts from the UK-based BAE company. Sources say BAE is holding up supplies of certain components which has delayed the aircraft production at the Indian facility. While the UK-manufactured trainers have already come in, the lack of parts means that IAF has to do without the optimum number of trainers required.
As highlighted by The Indian Express, the trainer had been hit by a series of quality problems after it was inducted at the Bidar air base, prompting the IAF to take up the issue with BAE.
10/02/09 Manu Pubby/Indian Express
Labels: Defense, General: Participants, IJT, India
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Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday invited aviation companies to make Bangalore a cargo hub for the regions of South East Asia, West Asia and Africa and promised to extend required help.
Addressing the inaugural function of Aero India 2009 here, he said an 11-acre cargo village is getting ready at Bangalore International Airport at Devanahally on the city's outskirts.
"I invite aviation companies to consider making Bangalore the centre of supply chain for perishable items and high value small products", he said.
Yeddyurappa also said that the Bangalore Metro project is to commence soon with most of the tenders to be awarded shortly. Metro trains are expected to run from December 2011 in the city.
11/02/09 PTI/The Hindu To read the news in full | PermaLink
Addressing the inaugural function of Aero India 2009 here, he said an 11-acre cargo village is getting ready at Bangalore International Airport at Devanahally on the city's outskirts.
"I invite aviation companies to consider making Bangalore the centre of supply chain for perishable items and high value small products", he said.
Yeddyurappa also said that the Bangalore Metro project is to commence soon with most of the tenders to be awarded shortly. Metro trains are expected to run from December 2011 in the city.
11/02/09 PTI/The Hindu To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore: With India going into overdrive to secure its coastline in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, US defence major Raytheon is positioning its airborne standoff radar (ASTOR) as the ideal solution for the country's homeland security.
"This may be something of interest to India. There's a lot of opportunity here," Mike Henchey, Raytheon's Vice President for space and airborne systems, said.
Pointing to the success achieved by the British defence ministry in operating the system, Henchey, who is here for Aero India-2009 that opened today, said he hoped to discuss its benefits with Indian officials during the five-day international air show.
The ASTOR system, Raytheon says, provides a highly effective 24-hour surveillance and target acquisition capability. It delivers wide area, all weather surveillance and reconnaissance imagery in near real time for peacekeeping, war fighting and homeland security needs.
Raytheon, which has had a presence in India for the past 60 years, views India's new policy for procuring military hardware as an opportunity for building long term partnerships that would benefit the country economically and industrially.
"We see the offsets clause as an opportunity for partnerships and we would be very pleased to work with our partners here," Henchey pointed out.
11/02/09 IANS/Sify
"This may be something of interest to India. There's a lot of opportunity here," Mike Henchey, Raytheon's Vice President for space and airborne systems, said.
Pointing to the success achieved by the British defence ministry in operating the system, Henchey, who is here for Aero India-2009 that opened today, said he hoped to discuss its benefits with Indian officials during the five-day international air show.
The ASTOR system, Raytheon says, provides a highly effective 24-hour surveillance and target acquisition capability. It delivers wide area, all weather surveillance and reconnaissance imagery in near real time for peacekeeping, war fighting and homeland security needs.
Raytheon, which has had a presence in India for the past 60 years, views India's new policy for procuring military hardware as an opportunity for building long term partnerships that would benefit the country economically and industrially.
"We see the offsets clause as an opportunity for partnerships and we would be very pleased to work with our partners here," Henchey pointed out.
11/02/09 IANS/Sify
Labels: Defense, India, Radar, Raytheon, USA
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Bangalore: There is no proposal before the government to revise the 26 per cent cap on FDI in defence sector, Defence Production Secretary Pradeep Kumar said today."There is no move at present to change the 26 per cent cap", he told reporters in response to questions a day before the five-day air show, Aero India 2009 commences here.
Pradeep Kumar said the government would come out with a revised Defence Procurement policy next year, improving upon the one unveiled in August last year, which was finalised after getting feedback from all stake-holders, Indian and foreign industries and aviation experts.
11/02/09 Press Trust of India To read the news in full | PermaLink
Pradeep Kumar said the government would come out with a revised Defence Procurement policy next year, improving upon the one unveiled in August last year, which was finalised after getting feedback from all stake-holders, Indian and foreign industries and aviation experts.
11/02/09 Press Trust of India To read the news in full | PermaLink
Bangalore : Thirty-year-old Suman Sharma, the first Indian woman who flew as co-pilot on the F-16IN Super Viper, is now ready to get into IAF's deadly SU-30 if she passes tests and the IAF permits it. She has even filed her application.
Suman says her experience on the F-16IN would stand her in good stead for future flights. Interestingly, Suman's F-16 simulator stint at Fortworth Texas and at the Centrifugal chamber for pilots in Bangalore seems to have helped her for the F-16 flight. Suman told TOI: "I did not pass out even once in the centrifugal chamber in Bangalore. Withstanding that gave me confidence to fly on the F-16IN."
Suman, who is writing a personal account of her experience on the F-16, shared some of it: "As I embarked the all-digital glass cockpit of the F-16IN Super Viper on a journey of self-discovery, my thoughts went out to the more than 800 women officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF). These bold women have come a long way from being short service non-combatants since 1992 and can hope for combat flying much like their Pakistani counterparts, four of whom were commissioned into fighter flying in 2006."
The air show, she said, gave her "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to get close with `combat'. "As I stepped in, I was impressed by the newly introduced automated recovery system of the Viper, an edge over the legacy F-16, as it warns, automatically takes off and saves the machine and lives from crashing. But none of this was my concern as I was in the safe hands of Paul `Bear' Randall, my pilot, what with his 4,200 hours of fighter experience!
11/02/09 Times of India
Suman says her experience on the F-16IN would stand her in good stead for future flights. Interestingly, Suman's F-16 simulator stint at Fortworth Texas and at the Centrifugal chamber for pilots in Bangalore seems to have helped her for the F-16 flight. Suman told TOI: "I did not pass out even once in the centrifugal chamber in Bangalore. Withstanding that gave me confidence to fly on the F-16IN."
Suman, who is writing a personal account of her experience on the F-16, shared some of it: "As I embarked the all-digital glass cockpit of the F-16IN Super Viper on a journey of self-discovery, my thoughts went out to the more than 800 women officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF). These bold women have come a long way from being short service non-combatants since 1992 and can hope for combat flying much like their Pakistani counterparts, four of whom were commissioned into fighter flying in 2006."
The air show, she said, gave her "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to get close with `combat'. "As I stepped in, I was impressed by the newly introduced automated recovery system of the Viper, an edge over the legacy F-16, as it warns, automatically takes off and saves the machine and lives from crashing. But none of this was my concern as I was in the safe hands of Paul `Bear' Randall, my pilot, what with his 4,200 hours of fighter experience!
11/02/09 Times of India
Labels: Defense, F16, India, USA
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Bangalore: Visitors to Aero India 2009, to be held in Bangalore from February 11 to 15, who hoped to catch a first-ever glimpse of India’s high-tech Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), will return disappointed. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has told Business Standard that design glitches — including extra weight and delays in manufacturing the tooling on which the LCH will be fabricated — have pushed back the first flight by up to a year.
Some consolation will be afforded to enthusiasts of indigenous production from the first display flights of a black leopard-painted prototype of the armed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter. Called the Weapons Systems Integrated Dhruv (WSI Dhruv), this is the machine on which the LCH’s armaments and sensors are being perfected, even as designers struggle to pare down the extra 250 kilos that have come up on the LCH.
“An extra 250 kilos may not seem much on a 5.5-tonne helicopter, but it really is a serious problem,” explains HAL’s helicopter design chief N Seshadri. “At altitudes of 6,000 metres (almost 20,000 feet), which the LCH must operate at, the air is so thin that it can only carry a weapon payload of 350-500 kg. If the helicopter ends up 250 kg heavier than planned, its high-altitude firepower will be dramatically reduced,” he says.
Being built on the basic design of the Dhruv ALH, the LCH is currently HAL’s most prestigious project. Many of its components,
including the engine, crucial moving parts like the rotor, and the instrumentation of the LCH, have already been tested on the Dhruv.
Armaments and the sensors are taking shape on the WSI-Dhruv. With much of this already done, HAL had planned to fly its first LCH prototype by December 8, 2008. A second prototype was to be readied in the first half of this year. But that timeline has turned out to be too ambitious. One reason for this is that the LCH is technologically far more complex than the Dhruv. The Dhruv is a utility helicopter, designed for simple tasks like reconnaissance, casualty evacuation and for conveying small teams of up to seven soldiers. In contrast, the LCH is an attack helicopter, a flying weapon platform built purely for combat. It must fly and fight by day and by night, bringing down missile, rocket and cannon fire on dangerous enemy targets like tanks.
10/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard To read the news in full | PermaLink
Some consolation will be afforded to enthusiasts of indigenous production from the first display flights of a black leopard-painted prototype of the armed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter. Called the Weapons Systems Integrated Dhruv (WSI Dhruv), this is the machine on which the LCH’s armaments and sensors are being perfected, even as designers struggle to pare down the extra 250 kilos that have come up on the LCH.
“An extra 250 kilos may not seem much on a 5.5-tonne helicopter, but it really is a serious problem,” explains HAL’s helicopter design chief N Seshadri. “At altitudes of 6,000 metres (almost 20,000 feet), which the LCH must operate at, the air is so thin that it can only carry a weapon payload of 350-500 kg. If the helicopter ends up 250 kg heavier than planned, its high-altitude firepower will be dramatically reduced,” he says.
Being built on the basic design of the Dhruv ALH, the LCH is currently HAL’s most prestigious project. Many of its components,
including the engine, crucial moving parts like the rotor, and the instrumentation of the LCH, have already been tested on the Dhruv.
Armaments and the sensors are taking shape on the WSI-Dhruv. With much of this already done, HAL had planned to fly its first LCH prototype by December 8, 2008. A second prototype was to be readied in the first half of this year. But that timeline has turned out to be too ambitious. One reason for this is that the LCH is technologically far more complex than the Dhruv. The Dhruv is a utility helicopter, designed for simple tasks like reconnaissance, casualty evacuation and for conveying small teams of up to seven soldiers. In contrast, the LCH is an attack helicopter, a flying weapon platform built purely for combat. It must fly and fight by day and by night, bringing down missile, rocket and cannon fire on dangerous enemy targets like tanks.
10/02/09 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard To read the news in full | PermaLink
Amidst the thunderous din of the modern-day supersonic fighter jets at the Aero India 2009, aviation enthusiasts can also savour up a slice from the IAF's past. Adding a touch of history from its glorious past would be two of the IAF's phased-out trainer aircraft, the De Havilland DH82 Tigermoth and Harvard aircraft at the static display during the show.
The Tigermoth was a two-seat, single bay, biplane. The primary trainer for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War, it was the basic trainer in the IAF from 1940. It was replaced by the HT-2.
The Harvard on the other hand was a single-engine advance trainer aircraft used to train fighter pilots of the RAF and other Air Forces of the Commonwealth during World War II. The Harvards were phased out in 1973 in IAF.
08/02/09 Press Information Bureau
The Tigermoth was a two-seat, single bay, biplane. The primary trainer for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War, it was the basic trainer in the IAF from 1940. It was replaced by the HT-2.
The Harvard on the other hand was a single-engine advance trainer aircraft used to train fighter pilots of the RAF and other Air Forces of the Commonwealth during World War II. The Harvards were phased out in 1973 in IAF.
08/02/09 Press Information Bureau
Labels: Defense, India, Vintage
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New Delhi: With the government stating that the global meltdown had not affected the defence industry, the Indo-French joint venture Samtel-Thales is planning to put up two stalls at the upcoming Aero India Show in Bangalore to display its latest products in the avionics sector.
“We would have on display some of the latest avionics systems including automatic equipment testing, multi function display (MFD) and helmet mounted display (HMD) as also other equipment which would provide complete solution in the avionics sector,” director of Samtel Group, Mr Puneet Kaura, said.
With the Indian defence industry expected to touch almost $100 billion in the coming 10 to 15 years, he felt the market would grow rapidly and “there was need for bigger players from India to take up a larger share of this pie”. The display of avionics equipment at the Aeroshow is part of the exercise by the Samtel group to project itself as a leading manufacturer. The IAF would be beginning trials for 126 aircraft in April-May. “The defence industry is quite insulated and though it had been dominated by public sector undertakings over the last few years Indian private companies have been playing a pivotal role. I think this is good for the country,” Mr Kaura told The Statesman.
The Samtel group had in May 2008 launched a joint venture with the leading French company Thales with plans of making products which would make India part of the global supply chain for civil and military avionics. What has apparently buoyed the company is the government’s plans to speed up the process of defence acquisition. Mr Kaura said “our target is to get 35% of the total supplies specially in regard to avionics as this is an important area for the Indian Air Force which is in the process of modernisation.”
06/02/09 The Statesman
“We would have on display some of the latest avionics systems including automatic equipment testing, multi function display (MFD) and helmet mounted display (HMD) as also other equipment which would provide complete solution in the avionics sector,” director of Samtel Group, Mr Puneet Kaura, said.
With the Indian defence industry expected to touch almost $100 billion in the coming 10 to 15 years, he felt the market would grow rapidly and “there was need for bigger players from India to take up a larger share of this pie”. The display of avionics equipment at the Aeroshow is part of the exercise by the Samtel group to project itself as a leading manufacturer. The IAF would be beginning trials for 126 aircraft in April-May. “The defence industry is quite insulated and though it had been dominated by public sector undertakings over the last few years Indian private companies have been playing a pivotal role. I think this is good for the country,” Mr Kaura told The Statesman.
The Samtel group had in May 2008 launched a joint venture with the leading French company Thales with plans of making products which would make India part of the global supply chain for civil and military avionics. What has apparently buoyed the company is the government’s plans to speed up the process of defence acquisition. Mr Kaura said “our target is to get 35% of the total supplies specially in regard to avionics as this is an important area for the Indian Air Force which is in the process of modernisation.”
06/02/09 The Statesman
Labels: Avionics, Defense, France, India, Samtel, Thales
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Bangalore: In a setback to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) programme, the Prototype Trainer Two (PT2), landed on its belly at the HAL airport here on Wednesday evening after a routine aerobatic sortie. The programme is already delayed by four years,
The sortie was undertaken as part of the preparations for the next week’s “Aero India 2009” air show here.
The aircraft was piloted by HAL’s Executive Director - Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) Squadron Leader Baldev Singh (retd.) and Wing Commander C. Subramaniam, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot on deputation to HAL.
Eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared to do a normal touch-down, rolled and then the wheels started retracting, forcing it to land on its belly.
Initial indications are that the landing speed of the aircraft could have been a shade too fast, prompting the pilots to try and retract the undercarriage, and do a touch and go as the aircraft was likely to overshoot the runway.
There were suggestions that one of the tyres could have burst during landing, resulting in brake failure. A court of inquiry, headed by Benji Mammen, HAL’s Chief of Project, Light Combat Aircraft, has been set up to look into the incident.
There was structural damage to the undercarriage and belly, the doors and one of the wing tips.
HAL’s only chance of showcasing the IJT at the air show now rests on PT1, the prototype that suffered a crash in February 2007 (during Aero India 2007) when the canopy opened just before take-off.
06/02/09 Ravi Sharma/The Hindu
The sortie was undertaken as part of the preparations for the next week’s “Aero India 2009” air show here.
The aircraft was piloted by HAL’s Executive Director - Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) Squadron Leader Baldev Singh (retd.) and Wing Commander C. Subramaniam, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot on deputation to HAL.
Eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared to do a normal touch-down, rolled and then the wheels started retracting, forcing it to land on its belly.
Initial indications are that the landing speed of the aircraft could have been a shade too fast, prompting the pilots to try and retract the undercarriage, and do a touch and go as the aircraft was likely to overshoot the runway.
There were suggestions that one of the tyres could have burst during landing, resulting in brake failure. A court of inquiry, headed by Benji Mammen, HAL’s Chief of Project, Light Combat Aircraft, has been set up to look into the incident.
There was structural damage to the undercarriage and belly, the doors and one of the wing tips.
HAL’s only chance of showcasing the IJT at the air show now rests on PT1, the prototype that suffered a crash in February 2007 (during Aero India 2007) when the canopy opened just before take-off.
06/02/09 Ravi Sharma/The Hindu
Labels: Defense, HAL, Incidents and Accidents, India
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