Aerospace Diary

21 August 2013 - 10:14 by  Neelam Mathews  in New Delhi Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources have criticised the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG ), claiming the auditor’s report into the controversial  AW101 VVIP helicopter  deal failed to comprehend basic facts. The  CAG  presented its  report  to the Indian Parliament on August 13, highlighting the government’s failure to follow procedures in awarding the contract to AgustaWestland for 12 AW101s in 2010. The deal is also under scrutiny in Italian courts due to alleged bribes paid to officials in India. The bid for VVIP helicopters was first released in 2002 for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to replace its aging Mi-8 helicopters. After the  EC225  emerged as the only candidate, the contract was rebid in 2006. The  CAG  report claimed the subsequent process saw laxity in decision making and a number of discrepancies. ‘From the framin...

Neelam Mathews Dec 19, 2012 Russian Helicopters has delivered another consignment of Mi-17B-5 helicopters to India as part of a contract signed by Rosoboronexport and India's Ministry of Defense in 2008. The final delivery is scheduled for 2013. The Mi-17B-5 has been built to the requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defense. Th e helicopters are equipped with new VK-2500 engines that have an electronic control system and deliver enhanced power performance, important in hot climates and at high altitudes. "Should one engine fail, the reserve power provided by the second engine ensures safe operation through to landing. The on-board systems allow the helicopter to operate day and night in all weather conditions. A new navigation system has been developed for this version of the Mi-17B-5 that shows all of the piloting and navigation information on four multifunctional display screens, significantly reducing the crew's workload," says a spokesman. The medium mult...

Singapore Air Show  » February 15, 2012  by Neelam Mathews Yakovlev Yak-130 two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft.February 14, 2012, 3:00 PM Russian defense marketing agency Rosoboronexport believes Southeast Asia is a prime market for the Yakovlev Yak-130 two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft. Malaysia and the Philippines, in particular, have shown interest in the trainer, according to Rosboronexport deputy general director Viktor Komardin. During a recent visit to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant last year, Malaysian defense minister Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi hinted at an interest in parts manufacturing for the program. “There is a good probability that we will work with this aircraft. The details will be discussed,” he commented. A $550 million order last year for 36 Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainers gave the program a boost. But this contract was reportedly from Syria, much to the annoyance of the U.S. Earlier this month Russia and China...