The state-run Hindustan Aeronautics will transfer the technology of its advanced light helicopter Dhruv to a domestic defense manufacturer for commercial production.
HAL is in the process of identifying a private entity with whom it will share the technology for the production of twin-engine combat helicopter in India, unnamed official sources were quoted as saying by PTI Sunday.
The private entity will have the option of selling the choppers or through HAL.
HAL will for the first time share technology with a private entity for the mass production of a military platform. It was not immediately known how much it would charge for the technology transfer.
The decision to go ahead with this was in line with the government’s initiative to promote the domestic defence industry, officials said.
The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-new generation helicopter in the 5.5-tonne weight class.
By March 2017, HAL had produced 228 Helicopters, including 216 for the Indian Armed Forces.
At present, it is executing an order for another 159 choppers for the Army and the Air Force.
Dhruv has also been supplied to Nepal, Mauritius and the Maldives.
The sources said a number of defence manufacturers have shown an interest in acquiring the technology for the Dhruv helicopter.
In September, HAL had signed a Rs 6,100-crore ($947 million) contract for the supply of 41 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to the Indian Army while in March, the state-run entity inked a contract for supplying 32 ALH to the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
The officials said HAL had enhanced its production facilities to speed up the manufacturing of helicopters and the Tejas light combat aircraft. They said HAL had finalised a plan to manufacture nearly 1,000 military helicopters and over 100 planes, in tune with the governments focus on speeding up defence indigenisation.
The Indian Army is preparing to deploy a squadron of Dhruv advanced light helicopters equipped with weapons in the northeast border that it shares with China. There are four weapon stations on the helicopter with a turret gun in its nose area
India is in discussions with Sri Lanka and several Southeast Asian nations for the supply of Dhruv indigenously developed advanced light helicopter (ALH). The delivery of defence equipment and providing assistance in setting up domestic manufacturing capability have become a part of efforts to enhance defence cooperation and boost exports with friendly countries, Apart from queries, "there is talk with Vietnam, Myanmar and Sri Lanka for ALH,” T
The Indian Army plans to replace early variants of Cheetahs and Chetak light-utility helicopters with the home-grown advanced light helicopters (ALH) after string of crashes raise safety concerns. The armys aviation wing would replace 41 Cheetahs and Chetaks with new helicopters from the “ALH reserve stock” and the proposal would be sent for Cabinet committee on security approval soon, Hindustan Times quoted an unnamed defense ministry source as saying last Sunday
India is seeking certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its Dhruv advanced light helicopters, following Ecuadors move to return them due to frequent crashes. Four of seven Dhruv helicopters supplied to Ecuador have crashed during the period October 2009 to January 2015
Ecuador government has considered returning advanced light helicopters ‘Dhruv to Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) after a court case involving both the sides is settled. The Ecuador government intends to return due to long-run issue performance of the chopper
The Indian Air Force has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure 83 Tejas light combat aircraft valued at an approximate Rs 50000 crore (US $7.8 billion) from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL)
Over 80 potential suppliers from India and abroad participated at Hindustan Aeronautics LimitedH(AL)s 5th Global Vendors Meet held on Tuesday. In his inaugural address, HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju said, “HAL is looking to produce 100 basic trainer aircraft HTT-40 soon once spin tests are completed in the coming months
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is likely to float a Request for Information (RFI) soon for identifying an Indian private agency that can produce the civilian version of the ALH Dhruv helicopters in future. Considering the increasing need of helicopters in civil operations of the country, this will be a mega deal from HAL which is the OEM and Licensor
The US-India Business Council (USIBC) along with US defense firms wants the Indian government to formulate a framework to ensure safety and security of critical technology and classified defense information shared by them with Indian partners. “A government-to-government agreement to facilitate the transfer of classified defence technology and information to the Indian private sector besides clarity on issues relating to liability, intellectual property rights and industrial safety must be provided,” Benjamin Schwartz, Senior Director for Defense and Aerospace at the Washington-based USIBC said on Sunday
The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has issued a Request for Information to upgrade and modernise the infrastructure of Naval Aircraft Yards at Goa and Kochi. The MoD intends to modernize the two aircraft yards by procurement and establishment of various modern facilities / machinery / Systems/ equipment
Swedish Army Orders Saab’s Training Systems
Saab To Provide Situational Awareness System For Australian OPV Shipbuilding Programme
Ukraine Tests New Anti-tank Guided Missile System ‘Skif’
Raytheon’s Small Diameter Bomb II Completes Development Tests
India Eyes Increase in Tejas Jet Fighter Production Rate
US Army Orders Small-Caliber Ammunition Worth $115 Million
Details Revealed of Pakistani JF-17 Jet’s Phased Array Radar
US Approves Sale of 17 CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopters to Spain for...
One of the most interesting exhibits at the Dubai Air show 2017 occupies a corner in the Aviation Industries Corporation...
While investigators in India are following up on the money trial in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter scandal, the leads as...
With over 451 submarines in service worldwide, the global market of submarines fleet is expected to surge up to $100...
Amid the proliferation of real-time data from sources such as mobile devices, web, social media, sensors, log files and transactional...
Helmets for pilots and ground troops do much more than stopping bullets
As the role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) expands from traditional low-resolution reconnaissance to high-res video and infra-red besides precision-attack,...