Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews June 15 2015 As part of the "Make in India" initiative, Tata Advanced Systems links up with Airbus to produce C-295 transports in country. Airbus said every one of its programs includes parts from India Defense manufacturing in India is undergoing a transition from a traditional buyer-supplier relationship to a more open and transparent one. Easing of licensing policy, an increase in foreign direct investment from 26 to 49 percent and a forecast that envisions a 10-fold increase in exports (presently at a miniscule 0.3 percent) are drivers propelling a defense sector currently riding high on the “Make in India” program. The initiative was launched and promoted widely by new Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An attempt to boost GDP, Make in India sees aerospace and defense (among other industries) as its focus to enhance skill development and build an efficient manufacturing infrastructure. Transparent policies and speedy implementation are also...

MIL-LOG 28th May 2015 - 15:02 by  Neelam Mathews  in Delhi  India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved the Indian Air Force bid for the supply and production of 56  C295  transport aircraft. The new aircraft will replace its ageing Avro 748Ms and comes as a piece of good news for Airbus Defence and Security which was hit by the  crash of an A400M  aircraft on 9 May causing the deaths of four crew. The clearance for the $2.4 billion project comes on the heels of the visit of Spanish Minister of Defence to India in March, who had offered to take the project on a government-to- government level. The sole bidder consortium comprises Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) as the Indian Production Agency in partnership with Airbus DS.  Within two years of a contract signing, up to 16 flyaway aircraft......read more on ShephardMedia

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  AUGUST 23, 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS The first Indian Navy P-8I Poseidon at Utkrosh naval air station. The jet may be a contender for India’s latest maritime patrol aircraft requirement, even though a smaller aircraft is envisioned. (Photo: Indian Navy) August 23, 2013, 10:35 AM India’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has issued a request for proposal for nine medium-range maritime reconnaissance ( MRMR ) aircraft for the Indian Navy, plus 38 anti-ship missiles. The Navy has taken delivery of the first of eight Boeing P-8I Poseidon jets, and Boeing Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Although the new  RFP  seems to encourage smaller, lower-cost airframes and weapons, its terms may limit the bids. The  RFP  states the aircraft must fly a transit of 400 nm at 300 knots and patrol 400 nm for four hours at a height of 10,000 feet, configured with two missiles with a range of about 50 nm. The Mo...

Neelam Mathews June 13, 2012 With a Request for Proposal awaited for  India ’s first private medium airlifter project for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to replace 56  Hawker Siddeley HS 748s,  the government is facing the reality that is private enterprise – running into losses just won’t do. India’s handful of manufacturers that have been in discussions for this project, say they need a commitment from the Ministry of Defense for at least 200 aircraft before they commit to getting involved. “We need a business case before we invest money in the project,” says one of the Indian manufacturers on condition of anonymity. The  Hawker Siddeley HS 748s were originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s. A Request for Information was released in December last year inviting foreign OEMs to bid for a medium transport aircraft  only if they could find private Indian partners who would build the aircraft in I...

Aerospace Daily Jan 21, 2011 PROGRAMS Jan 20, 2011   By Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI Delays in India’s acquisition process are hurting the critical needs of its homeland security forces, with a program to supply transport aircraft for border security caught up in a turf battle. A contract for the supply of two Airbus Military C-295M transport aircraft for the Border Security Force (BSF) is in limbo after contract discussions were disrupted last October because of indecision on whether the aircraft should receive civil or military certification. If the decision is made in favor of civil certification, the BSF will be the owner. If it is made in favor of military, it will be under the management of the Indian air force. The 2008 request for proposals stated the military version should come with a weather radar, emergency locating transmitter and survival equipmen...