Bengaluru, Feb 5

President Ram Nath Kovind graces valedictory function 

Curtains came down on the mega three-day international event Aero India 2021 on February 05, 2021 in Bengaluru where 201 Memoranda of Understanding, product launches and technology transfers were concluded to provide further impetus to the aerospace and defence industry of the country. The valedictory function was graced by President Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady Smt Savita Kovind.

Over 600 exhibitors attended physically and another 108 in virtual mode. Around 3,000 Business-2-Business meetings were conducted during the event and representatives from 63 foreign countries were in attendance. The 13th edition of Aero India in its 25th year was organised amidst COVID-19 challenges as the world’s first ever hybrid defence and aerospace exhibition with no public days and a concurrent virtual exhibition.

In his address President Ram Nath Kovind said, India is not just a market, but a land of immense opportunities for the whole world, including in the defence sector. The President said that the government is focused on promoting the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ to encourage manufacturers to set up units in India. The President said that the reforms initiated in India in the last six years offer unprecedented opportunities to investors and private companies in the defence and aerospace sectors. 

201 MoUs, product launches and technology transfers concluded

A total of 201 MoUs, product launches and technology transfers were concluded at the Bandhan ceremony held on the last day of Aero India 2021 at Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021. These included the formal handing over of the Advanced Light Helicopters MK-III to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), commencement of Performance based logistics of ICG fleet, initial operational clearance of Army version of Light Utility Helicopter etc.

In his address, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath said Bandhan exemplifies the spirit of public-private partnership in defence and aerospace sectors and have forged strategic ties that are poised to transform defence and aerospace manufacturing. He said 128 MoUs, 19 ToTs, 4 Handing Overs, 18 Product Launches and 32 major announcements were made at Aero India this year. He said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for Atmanirbhar Bharat ignited the country’s spirit of innovation and collaboration.

Raksha Mantri said the foundation of India’s vision rests on three pillars - Research and Development, Public and Private Defence Production and Defence Exports. Referring to the field of research and development, he said there was an attempt to broaden the research base of the nation by supporting and encouraging the private sector. In this context, he mentioned that some patents of DRDO have been shared with the private sector to assist in defence production ventures.

Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned initiatives to encourage and facilitate private sector R&D initiatives such as iDEX and Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC). He recalled innovations such as the combat drone display, a part of the swarm technology initiative, exhibited during the Army Day function on 15 January 2021 at New Delhi.

Raksha Mantri reiterated India’s intention to bring down defence imports by at least $2 billion by 2022 to encourage local defence manufacturing. He informed that 138 proposals worth over $37 billion for domestic manufacturing were approved between 2016 and 2019. Highlighting the importance of the requisite eco-system for the growth of the defence industry, Shri Rajnath Singh said Rs 6,800 crore investments were pledged by both public and private industries in the defence corridors of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Shri Rajnath Singh also spoke of the need for a robust domestic manufacturing base for defence export potential of the country. He reiterated the target of increasing the country’s defence base from $11 billion to $25 billion by 2025 including an export component of $5 billion. Defence exports grew from Rs 2000 crores to Rs 9000 crores from 2015-2020 with a vast majority spearheaded by the private sector. With reference to the Indian aerospace industry he said that the aero components sector is set to grow from Rs. 30,000 crores today to Rs. 60,000 crores by 2024. He enumerated the cost competitiveness of India’s manpower resources, availability of abundant, specialist capabilities and geographical advantages as reasons for its emergence as a global and regional Maintenance and Repair Operations hub. Hailing the agreements concluded at Aero India 2021 Raksha Mantri said they would give impetus to ‘Make In India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and assured the gathering his Ministry would do everything possible to ensure the agreements are implemented.

Transfer of Technology for 14 technologies to 20 industries

The DRDO handed over Licensing Agreements for ToT (LAToT) for 14 DRDO developed technologies to 20 industries. The technologies transferred are from the area of electronics, laser technology, armaments, life sciences, materials science, combat vehicles, naval systems, aeronautics, sensors, etc. The product technologies transferred are Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR), Inertial Navigation System for Ship Application (INS-SA), Long Range Optical Target Locator (OTL 1500), Hand Held Through Wall Imaging Radar (HH-TWIR) and Commander TI (Thermal Imager) Sight for T-72 Tank are the sensor technologies transferred to various industries. NMRL-Fuel Cell based Air Independent Propulsion Technology for Naval Submarines named NMFCAIP is a unique capability developed by DRDO and now transferred to the industry. Multi Agent Robotic System (MARS) will be produced by Indian industry based on DRDO design.

Many armament systems, namely 155 mm X 52 Cal Advance Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Mechanical Mine Layer - Self Propelled (MML– SP) and Prachand Anti-Tank Munition are handed over to the industry for production. Other technologies that are transferred today for production by Indian industry are Individual Under Water Breathing Apparatus (IUWBA), *Basic WhAP 8x8 & Add-on Armour for WhAP and *4 MW Diesel Engine Infrared Signature Suppression System. An MoU was exchanged between DRDO and HAL to cooperate and finalize the aspects of ToTs of Uttam radar for new LCA configurations and new generation Radar Warning Receiver (RWR-NG).

Light Utility Helicopter receives Initial Operational Clearance

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh during the ongoing Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station Yehalanka, Bengaluru today.  

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director  R Madhavan said the thrust is being given by HAL for indigenous R&D programmes towards self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces. 

Director (Engg. and R&D) Mr Arup Chatterjee stated that the performance of the basic helicopter in all terrains and under all weather conditions is satisfactory. HAL is currently in the phase of integrating and flight-testing mission role equipment on LUH. HAL is fully geared up to fulfil the requirements of the customers in time bound manner 

The LUH is a three-ton class new generation single engine helicopter indigenously designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre of HAL with features suitable for operations in the diverse operating conditions unique to India. The LUH will replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah/Chetak helicopters operated by the Services. 

The LUH is powered by a single turbo shaft engine Ardiden 1U from M/s. Safran Helicopter Engine (SHE), France with adequate power margins to accomplish high altitude missions in Himalayas with ease. LUH is equipped with Smart Cockpit Display System (Glass Cockpit), state-of-the-art HUMS (Health & Usage Monitoring System) and is designed for various utility and armed roles. 

All certification activities like Ground testing, Ground Test Vehicle endurance runs, system testing, Flight testing including hot weather trials, cold weather trials, sea level trials and hot weather high altitude trials have been completed. Based on the flight trials carried out, all PJSQR requirements for basic helicopter certification have been complied satisfactorily.

HAL hands over five helicopters to Indian Navy and  Indian Coast Guard

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk III to Indian Navy and two ALHs to Indian Coast Guard as part of its 16 ALHs contract during the ongoing Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021. The helicopters were handed over by Chairman and Managing Director of HAL Madhavan to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Director General Coast Guard Shri K Natarajan in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. 

The ALH has clogged close to 3,00,000 cumulative flight hours and proven its mettle in versatile operations. The ALH Mk III is fitted with state-of-the-art glass cockpit and powerful Shakti engine. The contract involves integration of 19 major systems with the existing ALH MK III that include IFF MKXII & ATC Xpdr with ADS-B Out, V/UHF Communication System, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance (TCAS-I), SAR Homer system, Automatic Deployable Emergency Locator Transmitter (ADELT), Loud Hailer, Radio altimeter, Rescue Basket, Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), IADS System, AFCS, Digital Video Recording System (SSDVR), Automatic Identification System (AIS), High Intensity Search Light (HISL), Pressure Refueling System, Control grips, EO POD Rev III, Surveillance Radar System and 12.7 mm Gun system.

iDEX – Start-up Manthan organised

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has said 60 winners out of more than 1,200 start-ups and innovators who participated in Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) have received grants of up to Rs 1.5 crore each to build prototypes. In his address at the Start-up Manthan organised on 5th February at Aero India 2021 Raksha Mantri announced that 45 MSMEs participating in Aero India had already received orders worth Rs 203 crore. The annual flagship event was organised on the final day of Aero India 2021. Speaking at the event, Raksha Mantri asked Ministry of Defence officials to consider increasing the finance available to Innovation for Defence Excellence (IDEX) start-ups.

Raksha Mantri applauded India’s ambitious start up program which was started to harness the young talent and entrepreneurship on the clarion call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that Start Up India was based on three pillars – Simplification and Handholding, Funding and Incentives and Incubation and Industry-Academia Partnerships. He applauded the success of Start-up India in creating an ecosystem of more than 41,000 start-ups, 4.7 lakh jobs and Rs 4,500 crore of investment in 384 start-ups through Fund of Funds Scheme.

Shri Rajnath Singh also spoke of steps taken by the government to give a push to start ups in the defence manufacturing system such as opening up the patents and laboratories of DRDO to private industry, setting up of Young Scientists labs in niche technology areas, programmes like iDEX, Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), iDEX4Fauji, etc. He added that the latest version of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 allows start-ups to participate in Make in India forums and reserves projects up to Rs 100 crore for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Raksha Mantri said that iDEX initiative is a decisive step towards achieving self-reliance and is one of the most effective and well-executed defence Start-up ecosystems in the true spirit of the Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Speaking on the aerospace sector, Shri Rajnath Singh added that 300 plus start-ups are currently engaged and iDEX 10 start-ups have developed the products worth Rs 100 Cr which have been displayed in Aero India 2021.

Shri Rajnath Singh also highlighted iDEX4Fauji as an initiative providing opportunities to innovate to the Indian Armed Forces. He further said that iDEX4Fauji opens up a new window allowing Indian soldiers and service personnel to be recognized and rewarded as innovators. He mentioned the innovations done in the field of Robotics in Maritime applications by Lt. Deepak Suman Kumar and wall penetrating Radar by Major Anoop Mishra as examples.

Speaking of the iDEX Open Challenge, he added that the initiative creates opportunities for innovators to propose ways to harness technological capabilities and strengthen our nation’s military capability. Raksha Mantri ended his address expressing hope that the annual flagship event of Start-up Manthan becomes a milestone in start-up engagement in defence.

Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar applauded the growth of the start-up ecosystem and identified the importance of developing standards for its sustainability in future. He mentioned that start-ups in India had treated the challenge of COVID-19 as an opportunity with funding of over Rs two lakh crore in 2020. He said India has shown with innovations such as vaccine development, that it is among the leading innovative countries. This changed the confidence profile of Indian youth, which is on display at iDEX, he added.

Earlier, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar briefed the gathering about the iDEX process and the measures taken by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence to promote start up culture and self-reliance in defence. He said that iDEX had been designed to infuse the latest technology into military warfare closely intertwined with the needs of services and to reduce dependence on imports.

Raksha Mantri handed over Certificates of recognition to innovators under iDEX4Fauji and DISC 4 challenges at the event.

Start-up Manthan is organised under the iDEX banner annually. iDEX was launched by the Prime Minister in April 2018 with the core aim to create corporate models for Indian Defence needs and allow the defence sector to harness start-ups. Since its launch, iDEX has emerged as a national scale ecosystem bringing together military users and operators with start-ups, innovators and entrepreneurs. The event provided a unique opportunity to firms associated with DIO-iDEX to showcase capabilities, products and services to industry leaders and business decision makers.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Shantanu Dayal, other senior civil and military officials of Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion. Armed Forces personnel and representatives from start-ups, MSMEs also attended the event.

Rolls-Royce and HAL to establish maintenance centre

Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have agreed to expand their partnership in India for collaboration in two significant areas – expanding the supply chain for both Civil and Defence Aerospace and establishing an authorized maintenance centre for Adour Mk871 engines to support Rolls-Royce's global customers. Through these new collaborations, the two companies will build on their rich partnership of over 60 years, wherein Rolls-Royce engines have been ‘made in India’ and supported by HAL under license from Rolls-Royce.

R Madhavan, CMD of HAL said, “We are looking at new areas of cooperation and exports to countries which Rolls-Royce and HAL together contribute to, in aerospace application.”

Kishore Jayaraman, President, Rolls-Royce India and South Asia said: "We value our long-standing partnership with HAL and are proud to have been serving the Indian Armed Forces together for several decades now. Our journey with HAL is the original ‘Make in India’ story that started in 1956 when our Orpheus engines were first manufactured in India. We are delighted to take this partnership to the next level through collaborations for sourcing as well as to set up servicing and maintenance support for our Adour engines. We share strong synergies with HAL and as we look at future programmes, we believe there is immense potential to further build on our shared capabilities."

Alex Zino, Executive Vice President – Business Development and Future Programmes (Defence), Rolls-Royce said: “We are proud of our long and rich history of partnering in India and providing the power to protect through many decades. We have been making in India for more than 60 years and we believe that now is the time to move from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Create in India’.  We are committed to co-develop future Defence Technology with India, in India, for India and the global market.  In partnership we will work to deliver economic benefit and achieve India’s vision of self-reliance in the Defence sector. Today, we are delighted to further expand our valued partnership with HAL as we continue co-building capabilities in the Indian ecosystem to support global markets, in addition to further serving the needs of a future-ready defence force in India.”

Rolls-Royce and HAL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an Authorized Maintenance Centre for Adour Mk871 at HAL to support international military customers and operators. HAL alreay has the capabilities and capacity to support a larger customer base, with over 30 years’ experience in MRO of the Adour engines in India, under license from Rolls-Royce.

The two companies have also signed a ‘Letter of Intent’ (LoI) to work towards making Adour Mk871 engine parts in India for several international customers. In addition, HAL has recently been awarded new business with Rolls-Royce to supply forgings including shrouds, cases and seals for Rolls-Royce’s Trent family of engines and for the Pearl 15 engines. These parts would be manufactured at HAL’s Foundry and Forge Division at its state-of-the-art facility in Bengaluru.

These partnerships will further strengthen Rolls-Royce’s regional service footprint and also help catapult India as a global hub for defence sourcing, assembly, and MRO services.

Attendees at the announcement included Louise Donaghey, Sr. Vice President (Defence), Rolls-Royce (joining virtually), Abhishek Singh, Vice President (Defence), Rolls-Royce and B Krishna Kumar General Manager, HAL Engine Division.

Rolls-Royce was familiarizing customers and potential partners with its advanced technology offerings in naval and aerospace defence, as well as exploring opportunities to expand its ‘Make in India’ footprint.

In focus was the mighty Rolls-Royce MT30, the world’s most power-dense marine gas turbine for naval vessels in service today. With a history of pioneering high-end technology solutions, Rolls-Royce’s prowess in naval defence solutions dates back over 80 years. The MT30 offers unique capabilities of a 21st century machine derived from the Aero Trent engine family. Offering a superior power-to-weight ratio and generating up to 40MW from a 30-tonne packaged unit, including most of the auxiliary systems, the MT30 gives navies more power in less machinery space than alternative engine types.

Rolls-Royce has been manufacturing in India for over 60 years in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and other Indian supply chain partners, and remains keen to partner on the co-development programme of an indigenous engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

HAL Receives Provisional Certificate of Indigenous Engine and Flight Display Unit

HAL received the Provisional Certificate of Engine and Flight Display Unit, (EFDU) indigenously developed for Jaguar DARIN III fighter aircraft platform at Bandhan program during Aero India 2021 today. Mr Arup Chatterjee, Director (Engg and R&D) received the Clearance Certificate from Mr A P V S Prasad, Outstanding Scientist and Chief Executive (Airworthiness), CEMILAC.

R Madhavan, CMD, HAL said this development would not only lead to self-reliance but also enable HAL to develop further similar smart instrument display system and Multi-Function Display for various aircraft platforms.

The EFDU developed by Mission and Combat Systems R & D Centre (MCSRD&C), HAL is a flight critical system displaying engine fuel and flight parameters required for flying the aircraft. In case of failure of primary flight display unit, EFDU provides necessary engine, fuel, hydraulics and navigation data required for get-you-home functionality on a single 4”X5” AMl LCD display. This EFDU will replace an Imported Engine and Flight Instrument System (EFIS) Unit thereby giving boost to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

HAL, Safran Sign MoU

HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines, France signed an MoU today at Aero India 2021 to explore opportunities for strategic business cooperation that leverage the complementary talents and capabilities of the both parties and support development of a robust ecosystem for aero-engines in India, consistent with the goals of the Government of India’s Make in India initiative.

The MoU’s scope encompasses a wide spectrum including transfer of key manufacturing technologies, manufacturing & MRO of M88 (Rafale) and other engines, development and production of high thrust aero-engines related to cooperation.

Safran Helicopter Engines is HAL’s key partner in engines for HAL’s helicopters like Chetak, Cheetal, Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter. HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines have successfully co-developed ‘Shakti’ Engine for Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopter. HAL has manufactured more than 450 Shakti engines in India at HAL Engine Division in Bengaluru.

BEL signs MoU with L&T

At Aero India 2021 today, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) announced an MoU to continue to cooperate in addressing the needs of the evolving domestic and export markets for Defence products and systems. The MoU seeks to leverage capabilities of both the firms through strategic alignment, enhancing indigenisation content and collaboration using high-end and advanced technologies to meet domestic needs and enhance export prospects.

Mrs Anandi Ramalingam, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Mr Arun Ramchandani, Executive Vice President (Defence & Aerospace), L&T, have signed the MoU documents.

BEL signs MoU with Grene Robotics 

At Aero India 2021, Bengaluru, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Grene Robotics Pvt Ltd entered into an MoU for co-operation in the development of Autonomous Manpads Data Link System (AMDLS) and also to leverage the policy initiatives of the Indian Government, such as Make in India.

The MoU was signed on behalf of BEL and Grene Robotics Pvt Ltd by Rajasekharan M V, Director (R&D), BEL, and Wg Cdr M V N Sai, Director – Defence, Grene Robotics, respectively.

 

Bharat Dynamics encouraging start-ups in innovation programmes

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) which showcased it’s largest-ever range of products during Aero India – 2021 is keen on reaching out to start-ups and others to expand business. The BDL product range include state-of-the-art anti-tank guided missiles, launchers, surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, underwater weapons and counter measure systems. 

BDL is launching its two new underwater weapons namely Garudastra and Dishani.  The Company is signing MoUs with foreign as well as Indian Companies including start - ups.

CMD, BDL Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd) stated, “BDL, as a part of its global outreach, is endeavouring to forge alliance with foreign companies. In addition to forging alliance with domestic companies, BDL is also encouraging start-up companies to participate in its innovation programmes which would synergize their innovative ideas with BDL’s capabilities, infrastructure and long and rich experience in the field of manufacturing and develop new products for the Armed Forces utilizing emerging technologies.’

“Aero India  provided a very good opportunity to showcase the Company’s state-of-the-art weapons and interact with our customers, OEMs and other stakeholders and strengthen our partnership.”

CAS Launches ‘HAVAI’ Portal

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria formally launched the operationalisation of ‘HAVAI’ portal in the presence of Mr R Madhavan, CMD, HAL, Director (Ops)-HAL, DCAS-IAF and AOC-in C, MC-IAF during the ongoing Aero India 2021 today.

The E-portal is developed as part of inter-organization information sharing system (IOIS) under ‘Digital India’ initiative. Such an initiative has been taken up between two government organisations (IAF and HAL) for the first time. The e-portal will optimize long-term material planning and reduce the repair and overhaul cycle time. It will also reduce the time for finalization of tasking and budgetary quotation processes.

Welcoming the initiative, CAS said, “The E-portal will bolster the competencies of the Indian Air Force and HAL and lead to increased serviceability of IAF weapon systems. This would facilitate secure information sharing between IAF and HAL for better coordination, improved transparency and faster decision-making.”

Mr Madhavan said, “The Customer-centric portal would go a long way in leveraging the benefits of information sharing in real time. It will also enable the visibility of HAL repair milestones, provide instantaneous budgetary quotations against IAF orders and give information on status of supply against Aircraft on Ground and repair tasks undertaken by HAL Divisions”.