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Airbus, Indamer Inaugurate Nagpur Helicopter MRO Facility

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Airbus, Indamer Inaugurate Nagpur Helicopter MRO Facility


In a major boost to India’s helicopter MRO ecosystem, Airbus Helicopters has partnered with Indamer to service the country’s helicopter fleet. The companies inaugurated a joint Indamer-Airbus Helicopter MRO facility Dec. 8. at the Multi Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur.

“This is going to boost the MRO ecosystem in India,” Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadanvis said during the inauguration speech, echoing the sentiments of the Indian government’s Make in India initiative. He added that a new aviation policy will be drafted for Maharashtra state, eyeing developments in India’s aviation market with a specific focus on MRO. “There will be a time when helicopter production will begin here,” said Fadanvis.

There are more than 125 Airbus helicopters currently operating in the India and South Asia region. Airbus says the strategic partnership will provide quicker turnaround for servicing and create an efficient aftermarket experience for helicopters in the region.

Noting India’s quickly expanding, helicopter-centric market, Romain Trapp, executive vice president for customer support and services at Airbus Helicopters, noted that the OEM will provide technical competencies to help advance the country’s helicopter MRO ambitions.

As a part of the deal, Indamer will provide MRO services for Airbus helicopters at its facilities in Mumbai, New Delhi and Nagpur under authorization from Airbus Helicopters. Indamer also operates a facility in Pune. Its Nagpur facility currently only caters to Airbus A320s, servicing approximately 60 aircraft annually.

Indamer established its helicopter MRO division more than a decade ago. “Since then, Indamer is concentrating on addressing the increasing demands of Indian customers for helicopters,” said Director Prajay Patel. He added that helicopter maintenance requirements of Indian operators can now be effectively fulfilled domestically with the right support.

Airbus Helicopters’ collaboration with Indamer is the latest development in Airbus’ efforts to expand its footprint in India. It recently signed a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics to set up an A320 MRO facility in Nashik. Airbus has also partnered with various schools in the country, such as IIT-Kanpur and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, to develop skilled workforce. Last year it partnered with MRO provider GMR Aero Technic to develop the GMR School of Aviation, which is providing aircraft maintenance training under authorization from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Airbus is also planning to hire another 2,000 engineers in India over the next two years, increasing its total engineering staff to 5,000.

Airbus Helicopters was the first foreign OEM to set up a customer center dedicated to the Indian market in 2010, with presence in key cities across the country.

The OEM is also playing an active role in developing new market segments in India, such as helicopter emergency medical services, airborne law enforcement and urban air mobility.





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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





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