EXCLUSIVE! HAL- An Attempt to Derail?
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...