Rs 15,000 crore Tata-Airbus deal for military transport aircraft at CCS door.
With contract for the light combat aircraft signed–the largest military order placed domestically–focus has shifted to a mega deal which, if approved by the PM-led cabinet committee on security, will see military transport aircraft being manufactured in India.
High on the priority list of Indian Air Force is finalisation of an estimated Rs 15,000-crore contract to manufacture the C 295 transport aircraft in India by a Tata-Airbus combine, which would make it the first time a military plane of such size is built domestically.
People aware of the matter told ET that the plan to acquire 56 aircraft to replace the ageing Avro fleet is in the final stage, with top-level approvals expected soon to move it to the next stage as a showcase of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Unlike the RS 48,000-crore LCA Mk1A contract, which was awarded on a nomination basis, the transport aircraft deal underwent a competitive process and was reserved for the private sector to bring in alternative capabilities.
The C 295 is a prominent focus at the AeroIndia show, with foreign collaborator Airbus – which is committed to transferring technology to India as part of the contract – saying the final assembly line would generate at least 2,500 new high-skilled jobs in the coming years.
Indian Navy gets 3 advanced light helicopters from HAL customised for coastal security.
The helicopters are fully loaded, multi mission and are fitted with an array of advanced sensors.
The helicopter features a full glass cockpit with HAL's Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS), more powerful "Shakti" engines, and a host of new systems.
These helicopters have come up with latest-generation avionics and role equipment. It is primarily meant for use in a shore-based role.
The Mk-III ALH are also equipped with an indigenous low frequency dunking sonar (LFDS) developed by Kochi-based Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory.
The aircraft has also a nose-mounted surveillance radar with 270-degree coverage that can detect, classify and track multiple marine targets.
It also has synthetic-aperture radar, inverse synthetic-aperture radar, and moving target indication classification functions.
The army variant of the LUH received the IOC
Powered by the turbo shaft engine (Ardiden 1U) of the French aerospace major Safran, the LUH is equipped with a smart cockpit display system and health and usage monitoring system for high-altitude missions in the Himalayas.
The certification process involving ground testing, system testing, flight testing, including hot and cold weather trials have been completed.