Indian Military Aviation News and Discussion

[ravicv]

[quote name='ankit-s' date='03 March 2010 - 06:25 AM' timestamp='1267625860' post='104770']

[size="6"]HAL sets sights on global presence[/size]







Walk into the Hindustan Aeronautics corporate building in Bangalore and it is clear that it is part of a government bureaucracy. Everyone wears the dull brown uniforms. A receptionist hands you a chit that must be counter-signed before you leave by the person you visit. The place screams hierarchy.



After a chat with HAL's amiable chairman Ashok Nayak, however, you get the feeling that the aerospace firm wants to shake off that label and embark on a growth trajectory to becoming a true global player - the equivalent of Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, for example.



"We had $2 billion in revenues last year and this is expected to reach $3-4 billion in the next five years. We can add $1 billion in revenues every year for the next few years as we get more business from both the military and civil sectors," says Nayak, a mechanical engineer who joined HAL as a management trainee in 1973 and took over as the head of the company in April 2009.



"We are about to embark on the next stage of our growth that will result in us becoming a much bigger company, and at the same time a more nimble one that is able to compete for global contracts and export aircraft overseas."



PRODUCTION CENTRES



HAL, which comes under the defence ministry's purview, has 19 production centres and nine research and development facilities across seven locations in India. Almost all of these are dedicated to the defence market, unsurprising given that HAL's main task is to help the country acquire the capability to develop its own military aircraft.



It has licence-produced aircraft like the BAE Hawk, Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Eurocopter's Alouette and Lama helicopters, and manufactures the much delayed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft that is developed by India's Aeronautical Development Agency and due to enter service around the end of 2010.



It is the main beneficiary of India's offset policies, which require the winners of military tenders to manufacture their aircraft in the country. The biggest deal in the pipeline is from the ongoing multi-billion dollar medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition, in which it will produce 108 of the 126 aircraft that India plans to buy.



It has also developed indigenous aircraft such as the Dhruv advanced light helicopter and the Sitara HJT intermediate jet trainer, two aircraft that it also hopes to export. The first flight of its light combat helicopter is imminent, while it is also developing a light utility helicopter.



"There is a huge defence market, given the acquisitions contemplated by the government. Some will be from the indigenous design and development, some like the MMRCA will be from outside. Both indigenous and licence-production will be important for us.



"We have been trying to improve our project management by using Lean manufacturing principles and harnessing the ERP [enterprise resource planning] systems for better co-ordination between the various divisions and to keep up with the changing aerospace market," says Nayak.



The defence business, ironically, has also been the albatross around its neck. Nayak points out that the strategic importance of the military sector meant that the company faced numerous restrictions in the kind of business it could take on. The restrictions were gradually eased over the past decade and HAL gained "Navaratna" status in 2007. This status gives state-owned firms more autonomy to bid for commercial contracts, start new programmes and form joint ventures with foreign and local companies.



That has come as the private sector began to agitate for a share of the increasingly lucrative aerospace market. Non-Indian firms, which were required to establish joint ventures and partnerships with Indian industry as part of their offset requirements, were also looking for some competition to HAL.



The government also began to relax the regulations and in 2009 allowed virtually free competition for contracts.



The Tata Group - arguably India's most famous conglomerate - probably poses the biggest greatest challenge to HAL. It has started work on an aerospace manufacturing facility located within a special economic zone in Hyderabad, which will house the first major aircraft production facilities outside those operated by HAL. It has signed deals to assemble the AgustaWestland AW119 and manufacture Sikorsky S-92 cabins and components for other Sikorsky helicopters.



Nayak, however, is not unduly worried about the competition, saying that this will "push up the bar and help everyone to improve". He points out that "there is enough business for everyone, and we are not trying to do everything ourselves. We already outsource 20% of our work, mostly to private sector companies in India."



He adds: "To be honest, we do not see them as a threat. We are a vertically integrated company that does the airframe, the engine and everything else. Others may want to assemble an airplane, but they may not have all the capability that we have. This business requires a lot of experience and a long gestation period before you can establish yourself."



The civil market is clearly an area of improvement. This is now mainly limited to producing the Dornier 228, for which it manufactures the fuselage, wing and empennage under licence, as well as assembling aircraft for the Indian military, and the indigenous six- to eight-seat Saras light transport. It has a joint venture with Russia to produce a 15-20t payload multi-role transport aircraft. It will also manufacture the regional transport aircraft that the National Aerospace Laboratories is developing.



PARTS SUPPLY



Going forward, it also hopes to supply more parts for major aircraft manufacturers. It now produces doors for the Airbus A320 and will manufacture composite flaperons for the Boeing 777, but Nayak admits that it still has some way to go before being a major player in the way Japanese firms have become for Boeing.



"We have a lot on our plate over the next few years from the defence offsets. The expertise we get from this will help us to move on to larger civil aircraft programmes, and we want to establish that capability in the coming years," says Nayak.

[/quote]



HAL needs to concentrate on aircraft manufacture and not waste capabilities building doors, door mats, and toilet seats for other companies under the guise of "offsets". Two examples stand out in this regard to show HAL's lack of focus. 1. The Dhruv is truly a world-class helicopter. The manner in which the Ecuador crash was handled was appalling! 2. The HJT-36 is a very fine design. HAL needs to take its manufacture and export as a trainer and light ground support A/C seriously. There's a significant market for the HJT-36 class of A/C in S. America, SE Asia, and even parts of Africa. This it (HAL) simply has failed to do.

[Guest]

HAL needs to concentrate on aircraft manufacture and not waste capabilities building doors, door mats, and toilet seats for other companies under the guise of "offsets".

On the contrary its a pride of the Indian company making aircraft parts for Boeing, even China does. More than 40% of HAL's revenues come from international deals to manufacture aircraft engines, spare parts, and other aircraft materials. There is no reason to abandon or not pursue US$1 billion contract to manufacture aircraft parts for Boeing, besides job creation opportunities.....remember India is a land of billion plus souls!

Two examples stand out in this regard to show HAL's lack of focus. 1. The Dhruv is truly a world-class helicopter. The manner in which the Ecuador crash was handled was appalling!

QUOTE:

Ecuadorian pilots have undergone extensive flying training on DHRUV at HAL’s facilities and had expressed happiness with the handling qualities , advanced avionics and safety features of Dhruv during interactions with HAL instructors who flew training missions with them in India and Ecuador, Ecuadorian Air Force has successfully carried out several missions in their DHRUVs in their difficult terrains and has logged 860 hours. It appears from the reported statements attributed to the top officials of the Ecuadorian Air force that the helicopter may have been maneuvered excessively.

2. The HJT-36 is a very fine design. HAL needs to take its manufacture and export as a trainer and light ground support A/C seriously. There's a significant market for the HJT-36 class of A/C in S. America, SE Asia, and even parts of Africa. This it (HAL) simply has failed to do.

HJT has few flaws:



QUOTE:

In February 2007, during takeoff from Yelahanka airbase near Bangalore, the first prototype aircraft built by HAL suffered serious damage after its canopy flew open, causing the aircraft to veer to the right, shattering an oleo strut, bursting a tyre, snapping the port wing tip and major damage to the starboard wing. The aircraft finally collapsed in a heap of dust and smoke, but there was no injury to pilot Sqn Ldr Baldev Singh, the aircraft programme's chief test pilot. The aircraft was participating in the Aero India 2007 air show.



On February 4, 2009 PT-2 landed on its belly after a routine aerobatic sortie. 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. There was structural damage to the undercarriage and belly, the doors and one of the wing tips.

[Guest]

Russia, India to sign $4 billion military technical cooperation contracts

A $2.35-billion contract between Russia's state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Indian Defense Ministry on refitting the INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) and the $1.2-billion contract on delivery of MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters will be signed during Putin's visit to India on March 11-12.



The Vikramaditya is currently undergoing repairs and refit at the Sevmash shipyard in Russia.



The initial refit agreement of $970 million went up to additional $1.5 billion India is expected to allocate to Sevmash shipyard which already expended the money that was allocated for the Vikramaditya's refit.

[Arun_S]

[quote name='ankit-s' date='03 March 2010 - 03:23 PM' timestamp='1267609509' post='104751']

[size="6"]3 killed in Hyderabad air show plane crash[/size]











Hyderabad: Two Navy pilots and a civilian died and two persons were injured when a Navy plane crashed at an international aviation exhibition and hit a building in a residential area near Begumpet airport in Hyderabad.



Officials tell CNN-IBN the aircraft belonged to the Indian Navy's aerobatic Sagar Pawan team and it crashed into a two-storied building while performing an aerobatic manoeuvre with three other aircraft.



The aircraft, part of the Navy's aerobatics team that uses four trainers, was unable to pull up from a dive and went into a spiral as the planes were breaking away from the formation and going at different directions.



IANS reports the aircraft, an HJT-16 Kiran Mk2 trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics, crashed a couple of minutes before noon near the old Begumpet Airport in the heart of the city.



The air show began at 11:05 am and 15 minutes into the air show one of the aircraft was seen breaking away.





Witnesses said they heard a loud boom, after which the plane went down. A thick cloud of smoke rose to the sky near the Begumpet airport following the accident.



According to witnesses, the plane had crashed into the mobile phone towers on top of the building. They heard a loud boom, after which the plane went down.



The crash occurred on the first day of India Aviation 2010, a five-day event from March 3-7, which will feature exhibition, conference on civil aviation industry, CEOs Forum, flying display, customer demonstration flights, static display and media conferences.

[/quote]



I am very sorry to hear that. I known that Begumpet airfield and Bowenpalli area very well.



Looking at video clips of the last few seconds of the flight, as it was executing the last star-burst maneuver of the aerobatic performance, it appears that the aircraft under go one deep spin (with very high angle of attack) as if the pilot was trying to change the exit azimuth while at the same time it was in high G. Some other static photos also clearly show engine flame-out. It is not clear [color="#800080"]if[/color] the flame-out was before the deep spin or after-wards. If it is afterwards, than clearly it was caused by the wind [color="#9932cc"]buffetting [/color]during hard spin, and that happened when the engine was surely being [color="#800080"]revved up from idling to almost 75% power for level flight[/color] after recovery from dive. Given the the engine does not have FADEC, its old control system might very well have weakness in that type of aero-maneuver and the engine packed up at the wrong moment.



There want not enough altitude for safe ejection (given negative initial velocity in the first place).



My salute to the pilots who fly these magnificent machines, and heart felt condolences for the IN families of the pilots, and the civilian citizen killed in the accident.



============

Edited after posting changes in [color="#800080"]different [/color]colour.

[Arun_S]

Huma Siddiqui came out of hibernation. Have not heard from her in a long time.

[url="http://www.financialexpress.com/news/India-to-procure-75-basic-trainer-planes-for-rookie-IAF-pilots/586479/"]



[size="3"][b]India to procure 75 basic trainer planes for rookie IAF pilots[/size][/b]

[/url]

Huma Siddiqui

Mar 04, 2010[left] New Delhi: India’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) with South Korea is likely to pave the way for the first deal to have Korean basic trainer aircraft to train new IAF pilots. Talking to FE, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd executive vice-president & general manager (marketing division) Enes Park said, “The Indian Air Force (IAF) needs basic trainers. The request for proposal (RFP) is already out and we are offering KT-1, the very basic trainer.”



“We understand that the Indian market is big and realise that there is an opportunity for us to enter the Indian defence sector by offering our trainers that are not only cost effective but also suitable for training new pilots,” Park explained.



As per an MoD official, “RFPs have been floated for procuring 75 basic trainer aircraft on multi-vendor basis and 106 aircraft will be built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)” The manufacturers to whom RFPs have been sent include global names like Embraer’s Tucano, Pilatus (PC-7 or PC-/9), Raytheon (T-6 Texan), Finmeccanica (M-311), Grob Aircraft Company (G-120TP), EADS PZL (PZL-130-TC-11 Orik) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KT-1).



According to the Korean company executive, once the proposals are received, the IAF will technically evaluate the two aircraft brought in for evaluation.



The IAF is procuring these aircraft for replacing the fleet of HPT-32, which were grounded after a fatal air crash on July 31 last year.



“As per the RFP, the manufacturer will have to deliver the first 12 aircraft within 24 months of the contract. The remaining trainers will follow in batches. Our production lines are working and if there is a clause of transferring technology, we are willing to do that too,” Park added.



With the IAF looking to keep the chosen trainer in its inventory for at least 30 years, the RFP specifies that the aircraft should have been recently certified. The 75 aircraft are part of the government’s go-ahead to the IAF for the acquisition of 181 basic trainers.

[/left]

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.indianexpress.com/news/crashed-aircraft-mainstay-of-military-pilot-training-overdue-for-replacement/586639/0"]Crashed aircraft mainstay of military pilot training, overdue for replacement[/url]

Mar 04, 2010 at 0321 hrs New Delhi: The Kiran Mk-II aircraft of the Navy’s Sagar Pawan Aerobatic Team that crashed in Hyderabad on Wednesday is the mainstay of India’s military pilot training programme but is overdue for replacement after more than three decades in service. The aircraft, also used by the Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team to perform extreme maneuvers, has neared the end of its service life. The Mk- II version of Kiran entered service in mid-1980s. Had things gone as per schedule, Kirans would have been replaced by the Indigenous Jet Trainer (IJT) in 2006-07. [color="#0000ff"]But the IJT, being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is running more than five years behind schedule due to snags in developmental phase and is not likely to join service before 2013.[/color] IJT has already suffered two crashes. Besides aerobatics, Kiran is mainly used to train military pilots.



After the grounding of the entire HPT 32 basic trainer fleet last year due to repeated engine problems, Kirans are now also being used for first stage training of pilots. [color="#4169e1"]{Arun_S: This is just like it was ~27 years ago [/color][color="#4169e1"]in 1983 [/color][color="#4169e1"]when ab-initio aircraft at AF Academy for flying cadets was Kiran HJT-16} [/color]



This has put a massive strain on the fleet which was earlier used only for second stage flying. This has meant that the fleet has been in the air much more frequently in the last few months. Strain and age have started to show, with three fatal crashes involving the aircraft having occurred in the past four years. Wednesday’s crash is the fourth since 2006 involving aircraft of the aerobatic teams of the Navy and the Air force. Aircraft of the Suryakiran Team suffered two fatal crashes in 2006 and 2009 while one of the choppers of Sarang Helicopter Display Team crashed in 2007 while practicing for the Aero India show, killing one pilot.



Though the Air Force is desperately hunting for new basic trainers, strain on Kirans is likely to continue, at least for the next three years.



Sturdiness of the airframe and exceptional handling qualities has made Kiran the ideal choice for Indian aerobatic teams. Following the crash, the Navy has grounded its entire fleet of Kiran aircraft — 12 Mk-I and eight Mk-II aircraft — based in Goa.

If only HAL can deliver HJT32 (Sitara) per promised schedule, IAF training and loss will not be in a sorry state it has been in the last 5 years.

[ravicv]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='04 March 2010 - 11:16 AM' timestamp='1267729695' post='104825']

[url="http://www.indianexpress.com/news/crashed-aircraft-mainstay-of-military-pilot-training-overdue-for-replacement/586639/0"]Crashed aircraft mainstay of military pilot training, overdue for replacement[/url]





If only HAL can deliver HJT32 (Sitara) per promised schedule, IAF training and loss will not be in a sorry state it has been in the last 5 years.

[/quote]



HAL has more important things to do, such as manufacture doormats and toilet seats for certain commercial aircraft vendors. Please bear in mind that "offsets" are important. It's a matter of intense national pride and one of the primary pillars of MMS's grand design for "high technology transfers". It boosts the pride of any Indian/PIO to say "On the flight, I took a "du*p" while seated on a toilet seat manufactured by HAL when flying (say) from the US to India, and after that, it feels good to be Indian (or of Indian origin)"! <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' /> <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<_<' /> <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Arun_S]

You mean like my Chinese friends, who tell me they are full of pride when they dump on a toilet seat made in China by their premier military aircraft manufacturer.<img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Guest]

[size="6"]India, Russia expected to sign fighter aircraft development agreement[/size]







India and Russia are expected to sign an agreement shortly that will see the two countries jointly develop and build a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) within six years, a Russian defence industry official has stated.



In comments published by Russian state-run information service RIA Novosti on 2 March, Alexander Fomin, first deputy head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, said a contract was expected to be signed by the two countries soon, focusing on the design concept and technical requirements proposed by India.



The agreement, which has been negotiated by the two sides for around two years, is expected to be worth around USD10 billion and will call for India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to form a joint venture to develop and then manufacture the aircraft.





http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdi/jd..._1_n.shtml

[ravicv]

[quote name='ankit-s' date='04 March 2010 - 01:33 PM' timestamp='1267737951' post='104838']

[size="6"]India, Russia expected to sign fighter aircraft development agreement[/size]







India and Russia are expected to sign an agreement shortly that will see the two countries jointly develop and build a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) within six years, a Russian defence industry official has stated.



In comments published by Russian state-run information service RIA Novosti on 2 March, Alexander Fomin, first deputy head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, said a contract was expected to be signed by the two countries soon, focusing on the design concept and technical requirements proposed by India.



The agreement, which has been negotiated by the two sides for around two years, is expected to be worth around USD10 billion and will call for India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to form a joint venture to develop and then manufacture the aircraft.





http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdi/jd..._1_n.shtml

[/quote]



Now this is something worth being proud of. India and HAL has developed a pretty good composite materials manufacturing capability. Hopefully, this will be used in the FGFA.

[ravicv]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='04 March 2010 - 12:21 PM' timestamp='1267733606' post='104834']

You mean like my Chinese friends, who tell me they are full of pride when they dump on a toilet seat made in China by their premier military aircraft manufacturer.<img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]





Well Arun, China is a different story altogether. It has all the trappings of real power, and in addition isn't blessed with the presence of types like the Pizza Woman and the pseudo-economist rent-boy at the apex of their power structure!

[Guest]

[quote name='qubit' date='05 March 2010 - 03:27 AM' timestamp='1267739366' post='104841']

Well Arun, China is a different story altogether. It has all the trappings of real power, and in addition isn't blessed with the presence of types like the Pizza Woman and the pseudo-economist rent-boy at the apex of their power structure!

[/quote]





Please dont handle her with silk gloves, she deserves more (harsh punishment), how about mafia lady, since both terms were originated from Italy. What is the difference between Sicily (Mafia fame) and Pizza (Pizza tower)?



I dont see her leaning anywhere n falling, and no Indian is capable to eat her like Dominos Pizza

[manish]

The progress in selecting engine for the LCA MKII is abysmally slow , nothing is coming out of it.It seems the LCA programme is going to go the way of the Arjun.The whole project will be delayed to such a great extent and then we will be holding trials for Light aircraft by 2014 or so buying from foreign countries.

[laltaputu]

there is talks of india buying c-17 globemaster through FMS from usa

does this does not need any trails in india

has IAF considered the an-124 which can be a competitor and may be superior and cheap although not in production

can iaf still buy an-124 by cancelling the c-17

[emperor]

[quote name='laltaputu' date='07 March 2010 - 12:54 AM' timestamp='1267940791' post='104928']

there is talks of india buying c-17 globemaster through FMS from usa

does this does not need any trails in india

has IAF considered the an-124 which can be a competitor and may be superior and cheap although not in production

can iaf still buy an-124 by cancelling the c-17

[/quote]

Present leaders in the congress gov submitted india to US. Dont even worry about one day if you have to hear that CIA operatives will be sending directions of how to rule the billion plus.

So far 70% of the military hardware was russian, from now on it will be american.

[Guest]

[size="6"]Tejas for aircraft carrier ships of navy[/size]







The prototype of the naval variant of Tejas aircraft is being built for aircraft carrier. The project has lagged behind its schedule due to various requirements connected with the development of a new aircraft.



Deficiencies have been detected in the airframe and other associated equipment of the aircraft. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working out modalities with various organisations for rectifying these deficiencies by suitable modifications to the engine / airframe design.



This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Dr. Gyan Prakash Pilania and Shri Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi in Rajya Sabha today.



http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=59334 .

[Arun_S]

[url="http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100311/158161315-print.html"]Russia-India military transport plane could be ready by 2018[/url]

11/03/201015:03A new Russian-Indian military transport plane could make its maiden flight by 2018, the head of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said.



Russia and India signed an intergovernmental agreement on the joint development of a multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) in 2007. The cost of the $600-mln project is being equally shared by the two countries.



"We are at the initial stage of the project. Maybe in 6-8 years we shall have the prototype aircraft flying," Ashok Nayak said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti.



The MTA project will be implemented by a Russian-Indian joint venture, co-founded by Russia's arms exporter Rosoboronexport and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and India's HAL.



An agreement on the formation of the JV is expected to be signed during the current visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to India.



"A green flag has been shown at this point...the work will progress very fast for the formation of the joint venture," Nayak said, adding that all necessary documents had been agreed on by both sides.



Moscow and New Delhi will have an equal share in the development and production of the aircraft. The aircraft is expected to be assembled in both Russia and India.



"Initially we expect to produce about 205 aircraft of which 30% will go on the world market," the HAL chairman said.



The MTA will be most likely developed on the basis of the Il-214 twin-engine military transport aircraft designed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau.



The new aircraft will feature a takeoff weight of around 55 tons, flight range of 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) and a payload of up to 20 tons.



NEW DELHI, March 11 (RIA Novosti)

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4534664"]

Indian AF To Buy 12 AgustaWestland AW101 Helos[/url]

By tom kington

Published: 11 Mar 2010 07:19



Italy's AgustaWestland has signed a 560 million euro contract to supply 12 AW101 helicopters to the Indian Air Force, the firm announced March 11.



The contract for the helicopters, which will perform government transport duties, covers a five-year support deal and initial crew and technician training, the firm said.



AgustaWestland, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica, has previously signed a joint venture with Tata Son for the production of the AW119 Koala, which it is proposing for the Indian Ministry of Defence's Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) program.



The helicopters will be built at the company's facility in Yeovil, England. Deliveries to India are scheduled to be complete by 2013 said a company spokesman.



In its statement, the firm said the Indian military helicopter market could be worth 5 billion to 6 billion euros in the next 10 years, involving purchases of 600 helicopters. The firm currently provides support, training and upgrades to the Indian Navy for its Sea King helicopter fleet.



AgustaWestland said more than 180 AW101s have now been ordered. Helicopters already in service in Italy, the U.K., Denmark, Portugal, Japan and Canada have now totaled nearly 200,000 flight hours.



The European machine was selected last year having beaten out competition for the VIP order from U.S. rival Sikorsky offering the S-92.

[Arun_S]

[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5673025.cms?prtpage=1"]Govt quietly inks Rs 3,726cr deal for 12 VVIP helicopters[/url]

TNN, Mar 12, 2010, 12.33am IST <a href="http://netspiderads2.indiatimes.com/ads.dll/clickthrough?slotid=36459" target="_blank"><img src="http://netspiderads2.indiatimes.com/ads.dll/photoserv?slotid=36459" border="0" width="660" height="65" alt="Advertisement"></a> NEW DELHI: VVIPs sure like to travel in plush and secure comfort. After getting three desi versions of US President's 'Air Force One', the Indian President and PM will now also get 12 swanky helicopters for VVIP travel on the lines of 'Marine One'.



The defence ministry has quietly inked a [color="#4169e1"]Rs 3,726-crore deal to acquire 12 three-engined AW-101 helicopters[/color] from AgustaWestland, a unit of Italian major Finmeccanica, for IAF's elite Communication Squadron, which ferries around the President, PM and other VVIPs. "All the 12 helicopters will be delivered in three years or so," said a source.



The ministry as usual remained silent about the deal, leave alone the exact contours of it, despite repeated claims made by defence minister A K Antony of 'total transparency'.



The Cabinet Committee on Security apparently gave the nod for the exorbitant helicopter deal, despite objections from the finance ministry, due to 'security concerns' raised by the Special Protection Group as well as IAF.



The government's VVIP helicopter contract comes after the Rs 727-crore deal for five mid-size Embraer 135BJ Legacy jets in September 2003 and the Rs 937-crore contract for three Boeing Business Jets (BBJs) in October 2005, with advanced self-protection suites to guard against missiles and other threats.



The new helicopters will replace ageing Russian-origin Mi-8s and Mi-17s in the Communication Squadron, just like the Legacy jets have replaced the old HS-748 Avros and the BBJs the two 737-200 aircraft bought in 1983.



While not as hi-tech as Barack Obama's "Marine One", the call sign of the US Marine Corps helicopter which ferries the US President, the Indian AW-101 helicopters will have self-defence systems like missile-approach warners, chaff and flare dispensers and directed infra-red electronic counter-measures to protect the VVIPs on board.



The AW-101 helicopters were pitted against the American Sikorsky's S-92 Superhawks during extensive field trials held in 2008, which the US firm later claimed were unfairly biased against it.

[Guest]

[size="6"][url="http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=12525"]Russia to make 200 stealth fighter jets for India[/url][/size]







New Delhi: Russia will build more than 1,000 stealth fighter jets within four decades, including at least 200 for its traditional weapons buyer India, the head of plane maker Sukhoi said on Friday.



Sukhoi test-flew its long-delayed fifth-generation fighter at the end of January, and Moscow said it would be able to compete with its U.S. F-22 Raptor rival built more than a decade ago.



Sukhoi said last week it hoped the fighter, codenamed T-50, would be ready for use in 2015.



"If you talk about warplanes of this type, there is definitely a market for it if we produce more than 1,000 jets," Sukhoi director Mikhail Pogosyan told reporters on the sidelines of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to India.



"We have all grounds to believe that there will not be tough competition on the world market," he said.



He said Russia would produce more than 1,000 of the planes within 35 to 40 years.



After the test flight, Putin said Russia had plenty of work to do on the plane.



Analysts say Russia's plans for a joint venture with India to produce the stealth fighters will likely be watched with unease by India's uneasy neighbour Pakistan and regional rival China.



Pogosyan said an agreement on joint output of the jet with India was still in the works and did not say when a deal might be signed.



"I believe that more than 200 planes will be delivered (to India)," Pogosyan said.



"I think (Russia's) defence ministry will buy no less than this amount," he said. About 600 of the planes would be sold elsewhere, he said.



Analysts say several nations, including Libya and Vietnam, have already expressed interest in the fifth-generation fighter.



"Apart from America, the only other fifth-generation project is Russia's, while the Europeans have given up such plans," Pogosyan said.



"Probably the Chinese will try and promote such a product, but I think they face an immense amount of work to make their product competitive," he said.