Aerospace Diary

by  Neelam Mathews  -  January 6, 2016, 1:34 PM The sole current operator of the US-2 amphibian is the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). (Photo: Chris Pocock) India's aerospace industry stands to miss out on a production partnership for Japan's ShinMaywa  US -2 amphibian aircraft, according to sources close to the situation. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi last month and stressed “the full potential of an India-Japan strategic and global partnership.” However, a deal proposed  during their previous meeting  in 2014 for final assembly in India of the  US -2 remains unsigned. Indian defense industry sources speaking to  AIN  on condition of anonymity said that the delay might cause the Japanese to turn instead to Indonesia as a production partner. Japan’s Ministry of Defense presented a detailed report on production arrangements for the amphibian in India last year, but ...

Neelam Mathews                March 27, 2015 Time, you old Gypsy man, will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for one day? All of us with an association with the defense industry know that the 1920 lyrics still hold good today. The fact is MoD is running out of time. While the intent is clear to move procurement forward, there seems to be a clear hiccup and lack of understanding in the bureaucrat arena on the DPP 2013 clause that requires Indian companies to be the prime. Rather paradoxically, this is the very reason that will hold defense manufacturing from taking off for large projects. Take the Avro replacement. While OEMs will conveniently absolve themselves from the liability clause, one doubts Indian companies with little maturity and experience can take on liability of the equipment. One should learn from the MMRCA where in a reverse case, is the major reason Dassault is unwilling to take ...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS The Boeing CH-47 is suited for India's austere environment and vast distances, the government believes. (Photo: Boeing) September 3, 2014, 9:27 AM India on August 29 approved industrial offset proposals to acquire 22 Boeing  AH -64E Apache attack helicopters and 15  CH -47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters for the Indian Air Force, a transaction valued at $2.5 billion. The country’s defense acquisition process requires that contracts in excess of $50 million require 30 percent offsets. Last year, Boeing signed a memorandum of understanding with Dynamatic Technologies of Bangalore to manufacture aft pylon and cargo ramp assemblies for the Chinook in anticipation of the larger agreement. The Indian government has declared manufacturing and export as priorities. The allowable limit for foreign direct investment in defense has been increased from 26 percent to 49 percent. The caveat that the ...