Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Jan 7, 2012 The RFP released to Honeywell and HAL for the reengining of 120 Jaguars with  F125IN engines ( 280 turbofans including 40 spare engines) that expired today, has been extended by a month as HAL has “yet to fill in the blanks” that include details on man hours etc, AerospaceDiary learns. The upgraded Jaguars will feature a Glass cockpit with DARIN-3 navigation and attack avionics suite HOTAS controls and an Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) being co-developed by the DRDO’s Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and Cassidian (formerly EADS Defense Electronics). The approximate over $2billion project has a 30% offsets clause. Already, Honeywell has fitted two RAF Jaguars with the engines.  Once the project is signed, two IAF Jaguars will be modified, before the complete fleet is refitted.

Neelam Mathews Aug 29, 2012 India ’s delays and indecision are legendary and now, once again, it has broken its own record for sluggishness. Even as the clock ticks, the Indian rupee slides further making procurement dearer and as the world awaits a decision on the Navy's 16 multi-role helicopters (MRH), Aerospace Diary learns the two vendors –NHI (NH-90) and Sikorsky (S-70B) have been informed they must extend their bids by six months (until January 2013). After that what? A rebid or cancellation even as the navy gets more desperate for the machines. This is becoming a joke. The 16 helicopters are to replace the Navy's ageing Westland Sea King fleet. Even the soon to be retired Navy Chief had stressed these were required urgently. The message is getting clearer and louder. Yes we are being sought by the world for our procurement budget. Yes, we are getting more arrogant by the day. Yes, we are sending a message to the world that we don’t really mean busi...