Aerospace Diary

Please credit aerospacediary Neelam Mathews Apr 29, 2016 Even as global firms battle to gain attention of India for the second line of fighters, Dirk Hoke  CEO of Airbus Defence and Space (DS) made his company's focus clear by making a visit to Delhi this week to make an offer to design, develop, manufacture and export the Advanced Medium Combat  Aircraft (AMCA).  The AMCA offer aerospacediary learns, comes with a rider: Airbus will only be associated with the project in a 50:50 joint venture since decisions tend to get overridden by Indian counterparts. Discussions are likely to get stuck if HAL insists on Airbus reimbursing it for the cost of the LCA development. In which case, Airbus is likely to demand cost of transfer of technology. Another future Make in India project sunk before floated!? Hoke took over his position from April 1 this year, and was making no bones in the aggressive role the company wants to play. Airbus is believed to have focusse...

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...

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 ...

Opinion Neelam Mathews Nov 6, 2014 Theoretically, it’s a great concept. Let Indian companies be the prime bidders in partnership with OEMs for mega defense projects like the Avro replacement and now Army/IAF helicopters for which an RFI has been released. However, the practical aspect is far behind. The feeling I’m getting is there isn’t too much enthusiasm by the Indian industry that had opposed the higher FDI limit in defense. Reasons? Unless there is accountability by an OEM, how can the industry take responsibility for the quality of the end-product? As far as the OEM goes, how will it feel comfortable in committing delivery to its partner with little say in the supply chain if it has no ownership and zero confidence in the capability of an industry that is in its infant stage? So, is there a solution? Many are advocating a return to DPP 2011, that allows bids to go to OEMs despite unattractive offsets. By the way, the new government really needs to ensure offs...

Neelam Mathews Sept 2, 2014 Extending dates for opening of tenders is so routine that it is not even news anymore.  As the world waited for baited breath for Aug 28 to dawn and for India's first private manufactured aircraft program to unveil, without any explanation, we hear, OEMs were told the date has now been extended to Oct 22.  Really! A day before Diwali? And thats going to happen?! If our calculations are correct , this is the fifth extension. Beginning to think there's a trend here..... We can only speculate why this is happening by a government that calls itself proactive and one that must move fast before its credibility takes a bolt- 1. They want to dunk the tender 2. We are hearing Alenia with its 27J did want want to participate and has not spoken to any Indian partners. This could be a lack of clear guidelines on the part of the MoD for the past year on blacklisting, not sure whether it wants to blacklist who, why, when or not.  3. They are...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS The Airbus C-295 might be the only qualified contender for India’s Avro 748 replacement project. (Photo: Airbus Defence & Space) July 22, 2014, 2:50 PM The new Indian government has re-issued the request for proposal ( RFP ) for 56 transport aircraft worth an estimated $2 billion, to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging Hawker Siddeley 748M twin-turboprops, known as Avros. The final date for submission of bids is August 28. The contract is expected to be awarded in late 2015 or early 2016. The candidates will likely include Alenia with the C-27J, Antonov with the An-32, and Airbus Defence  &  Space with the C-295. However, a decision on whether Alenia can bid is pending, after the  controversial sale of  AW 101 helicopters by fellow Finmeccanica subsidiary AgustaWestland was halted . There are also concerns about Antonov, from war-torn Ukraine. Should the C-295 end up as a sole bi...

Neelam Mathews May 9, 2013 We're hearing from reliable sources that the RFP for the Avro replacement is out. The bid has gone to several companies including HAL, which was originally not to be part of the bid.  However, we could not confirm whether HAL was also a recipient. Let us hope this time around, there will be a serious effort to manufacture the aircraft in the country rather than bring in licensed production as has been the norm.

Neelam Mathews Feb 12, 2013 Lockheed Martin is exploring opportunities across various Indian services to offer its versatile C-130J platform .  A contract for an additional six is in the offing as the U.S and Indian governments enter the final stage of discussions. Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), said in December: “T here will be an increase in the induction of transport aircraft and helicopters in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and their role will be expanded for deployment in conflicts.” Lockheed Martin has held discussions with the IAF “on the possibility of reducing India’s Avro replacement requirement (56) with (fewer) C130Js,”  Abhay Paranjape, Director, Business Development, LM Aeronautics National Executive, India said. “The C-130J provides significant benefits to India. The infrastructure at the air base (Hindon) is already there, trained technicians, operational benefits and discussions are on with Tata (on manufacturing) and the IAF l...

Neelam Mathews Nov 26, 2012 Today a number of people were foxed when they read reports on the so called 56 Avros replacement RFP. Fortunately, AerospaceDiary was able to confirm with the IAF spokesman who made an effort to check it out and let us know that it is still in the "final stages" of processing. So what is happening to that much touted RFP that was to have private sector participation? Last year in December, OEMs were assured it would be released in 3-4 months. When they met 8 months later, they were assured it would be released in 3-4 months again.  Hopefully like Rip Van Winkle, the MoD will wake up from its slumber. For things aren't that hunky-dory anymore and money is running out even from the cows they've been used to milking.

Neelam Mathews Oct 16, 2012 India has delayed its Request for Proposal for replacement of 56 Avro transport aircraft, a pilot project, that for the first time ever, was set aside for an OEM with an Indian private partner without participation of government-owned HAL. With Russia and India signing the initial design phase contract for the $600-million 18 to 20 ton (payload) Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA), the duplication of effort by the government is becoming increasingly clear with the visiting deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin to India stressing Russia was ready to cooperate in producing a transport plane with a payload of six tons as well. IAF Avro The private industry program seems doomed before it takes off. With 16 aircraft expected to be delivered in flyaway condition, just 40 numbers are not attractive enough for the industry that was hoping to get a minimum of 200 orders to make investment and project viable. This, we believe, will not be happe...