Aerospace Diary

by  Neelam Mathews  -  February 16, 2017, 6:02 PM A full-scale mockup of the Indian multirole helicopter (IMRH) was displayed on the HAL stand at Aero India. (Photo: HAL) Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. ( HAL ) has launched an Indian multirole helicopter ( IMRH ) program by displaying a full-scale mockup at the Aero India show in Bangalore. The  IMRH  is being designed to fulfill a long list of missions and could replace India’s large fleet of Mil Mi-8/17s, as well as some naval helicopters. The company did not indicate a timescale for development, flight trials and production.   HAL  previously stated (on its website) that it was seeking a partnership with an international helicopter manufacturer for the  IMRH , to shorten the development time frame. HAL  said that the twin-engine  IMRH  would be in the 12-ton class  IMRH  with a service ceiling of approximately 20,000 feet, a pa...

 Neelam Mathews   Aug 25, 2015 The FlyEye mini-UAV will be offered to the Indian army by Kadet Defence Systems in partnership with WB Electronics of Poland. (Photo: WB Electronics) An Indian Army requirement for approximately 600 sets of mini- UAV s is attracting interest from various manufacturers, who must partner with Indian companies to comply with the government’s “Make in India” industrial strategy. The Directorate General of Infantry has issued a request for information ( RFI ) that will be followed by a request for proposals by late 2016. Indian companies will make the bids. The   OEM s include two Israeli companies: Aeronautics, maker of the Orbiter mini- UAV , and Elbit Systems, maker of the Skylark. Aeronautics' partner is not yet known, while Elbit might team with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ). AeroVironment will   co-develop the Cheel —a version of the Puma—with Dynamatic Technologies. Boeing is with Tata Advanced Systems ...

LandWarfare 26th November 2014 - 10:31 by  Neelam Mathews  in New Delhi  The Indian Army’s  long-delayed  artillery modernisation programme finally got a boost with new defence minister Manohar Parrikar clearing a more than $2 billion procurement for 155mm/52-calibre mounted gun systems.  The decision to procure 814 artillery gun systems comes after three decades of procurement malpractices and as Pakistan and China both induct 155mm/52-calibre artillery guns. The Indian Army’s last major acquisition was in 1987 for 410 39-calibre 155mm FH-77B howitzers from Sweden’s AB Bofors, in a scandal over illegal commissions that contributed to the defeat of the government the following election. The army’s aging artillery presently consists of a mix of 105mm field guns, and 130mm and 155mm howitzers. A request for proposal for the new systems is expected be released in the first quarter of 2015, Shephard understand. One hundred guns are to be bo...

Neelam Mathews May 4, 2013 Neelam Mathews May 4, 2013 With approval given by the defense procurement apex body, Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), the Indian Air Force is set to release a (repeat) Request for Proposal for nine aircraft along with systems for airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Communications Jamming (COMJAM), ground survey and target towing within a month.  An RFP released four years ago shortlisted Israel Aircraft Industries with an 8-seater G-200 and Embraer 145, both offering the Elta Airborne Integrated Signal Intelligence System (AISIS). Delays in the offset policy resulted in price escalation by the OEM, which was not accepted by the ministry of defense, leading to cancellation of the bid. “Now five years later, the cost will be much higher given the changed specs and also a highly depreciated rupee,” a vendor says. The new RFP requires a larger aircraft to provide for ten seating passengers in a cabin. IAI, if it participates, wi...