Aerospace Diary

by  Neelam Mathews  -  September 8, 2015, 11:33 AM This Ka-226T was displayed at the recent MAKS airshow in Moscow. India will acquire 200 in the country’s first major private helicopter venture (photo: Vladimir Karnozov) The inter-government deal between Russia and its client India for procurement of 40 locally-assembled flyaway and 160 locally-manufactured Kamov Ka-226T helicopters is gaining steam. India's Reliance Defence Ltd took possession last month of 86 acres to set up its helicopter assembly and components manufacturing facility at the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub at Nagpur Airport in Maharashtra state. The Indian government’s decision not to give this large order to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) is to ensure “all the eggs are not in one basket,” said an Indian defense ministry official. The contract is expected to be signed at the annual Russia-India summit meeting in December. Outline agreement  was reached at the last sum...

by   Neelam Mathews  -  December 18, 2014, 12:24 PM Russian president Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi(Photo: Indian Prime Minister’s Office) India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to reaffirm friendly ties during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Delhi on December 11 by signing defense agreements that include possible licensed production of the Kamov Ka-226T helicopter. But Russia’s policy tilt toward Pakistan, with the lifting of an embargo on the supply of military hardware and the start of talks with Islamabad for the sale of Mi-35 helicopters, seems to have rung alarm bells in Delhi. The Ka-226T is a competitor for the Reconnaissance Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) requirement that has been postponed twice in the past decade. The new Indo-Russian defense agreement could result in scrapping of theRFP for 197 RSHs for the Indian Army and Air Force. The Airbus Helicopters AS550 C3 Fennec and the Bell 407 ...

Neelam Mathews Dec 26, 2012 The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India saw Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Russian Technologies State Corporation, and Elcom Systems set up in India, a modern industrial facility for manufacturing of Russian helicopter models of the Ka- and Mi- brands. The joint venture will have the capacity to produce key helicopter units and carry out final assembly of the machines as well as engage in ground and flight testing. It is expected that the enterprise will start with production of components for the multirole Ka-226T helicopter. The enterprise will serve as an industrial base for hi-tech Russian rotorcraft products in India, we are informed. "India is a traditional partner of Russian Helicopters in terms of helicopter deliveries. The creation of a joint Russian-Indian enterprise marks a new stage and also a logical continuation of our joint efforts in light of the growing demand for Russian helicopter ...