HAL has conducted the inaugural flight of its Dhruv New Generation helicopter in Bengaluru, marking its entry into the civil helicopter market. The event also included DGCA certification for indigenous manufacture of the Shakti civil engine, with full civil certification expected in the coming months.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system in Chandigarh, validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and aircrew recovery using a dual-sled setup with an LCA forebody.
Safran has announced new aviation investments in India, including LEAP and M88 engine MRO centres in Hyderabad and a joint venture with Bharat Electronics Limited to manufacture the Hammer air-to-surface weapon. The company outlined expanded production and engineering plans during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
HAL has entered into a contract with GE Aerospace to procure 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services for its LCA Mk1A fighter-jet programme, with engine deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2032 in support of 97 aircraft. The engine deal follows a previous contract in 2021 under which HAL ordered 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines for the LCA Mk1A.
HAL and Russia’s UAC have signed an MoU for the local production of the twin-engine SJ-100 regional jet, with HAL holding rights to manufacture the aircraft for India’s domestic market. HAL said that this marks the first time a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India since the AVRO HS-748, which was assembled by HAL between 1961 and 1988.
HAL’s Nashik facility has conducted the first flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A and inaugurated new production lines for the fighter and the HTT-40 trainer aircraft. The expansion is intended to increase LCA output to 24 aircraft annually and represents a major boost to India’s indigenous manufacturing capacity.
Saurabh Joshi analyses the significance of the agreement to produce GE F414 fighter aircraft engines in India and its far-reaching consequences for India’s military aviation industry, indigenous fighter capability and defence ties with the U.S.
HAL has had extensive experience in supporting the Honeywell TPE 331 family of engines, a variant of which powers the MQ-9B Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to a workshare on the joint development of the engine intended for the future 13-ton IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) and its naval version DBMRH (Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter).
The MT30 is a marine gas turbine engine, two of which propel the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, forming part of its Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) that Rolls-Royce is offering to the Indian Navy.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has set up and handed over a 160-bed care centre for the treatment of Covid 19 patients in Bengalure, Karnataka.
HAL Management Academy has launched two Post Graduate Diploma in Management programs in aviation management and production management for fresh graduates in engineering, science and computer science backgrounds.
Saab’s Mats Palmberg gives the details about their INAC/Indian Aircraft Company proposal that is part of their offer of the Gripen to India.
The IAF’s new contest for fighter aircraft is expected to get underway over the next few months. But there remain a number of significant outstanding problems ahead, that could delay or derail the process.
The most substantial challenge in the formulation of the RFP for 110 fighter aircraft is the incorporation of the industrial cooperation program under Chapter 07 of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), something that has never actually been implemented in any form before.
