A new feature introduced in Aero India 2009 was the 588 business-to-business meetings held under the aegis of the CII, including 350 interactions between Indian and foreign companies

Spelling the largest conclave ever in the history of Aero India, a whopping 303 companies from abroad along with 289 from India converged at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru to script this year’s chapter of the international air show, from February 11 to 15. The list of countries present this time included UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Ukraine. For the first time China sent a delegation headed by the Deputy Chief of the Chinese Air Force.

With a projected government expenditure of $30 billion (Rs 1,50,000 crore) during the 11th Five Year Plan for the acquisition of military aircraft and other defence related equipment, India certainly offers an attractive market for industry leaders in the pursuit of business opportunities. The air show was held under the overall control of the Ministry of Defence with assistance of the Government of Karnataka. Management of the event was the responsibility of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

A new feature introduced at Aero India 2009 was the 588 business-to-business meetings held under the aegis of the CII including 350 interactions between Indian and foreign companies. This concept was in consonance with the overall philosophy of promoting business and trade both domestic and international.

The Indian Aerospace Industry
As usual, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was observed to be carrying the banner virtually single-handed on behalf of the Indian Aerospace Industry, duly complemented by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and a number of private companies who have courageously forayed into the aerospace industry. The sprawling HAL pavilion showcased a number of major ongoing and future projects as also the numerous joint ventures with the Indian private sector and foreign companies. The Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv known to the public at large for painting the sky as the colourfully adorned Sarang Helicopter Display Team, has over the years evolved into a capable world-class machine dispelling doubts, reservations and concerns expressed in the past. On display on the apron was also an armed version of the Dhruv painted in black.

Resurgence of confidence in the capability of the machine is evident in the size of the orders HAL has received from the Indian armed forces. Production lines may have to work overtime to adhere to delivery schedules. The crowning glory however, was the ceremonial delivery in the presence of dignitaries of the first batch of five Dhruvs to the Ecuadorian Air Force to be followed by another three. Chief of the Ecuadorian Air Force General Commander Rodrigo Bohorquez Flores, was present to formally accept the machines.

Holding all the promise of opening market avenues in Latin American countries for India’s leading aerospace company, HAL’s success however will hinge on the quality and reliability of product support and promptitude in providing after-sales service to the new customer. Apart from the performance of the machine itself, potential customers in South America would keenly evaluate this facet of HAL’s capability which will be crucial in their attempt to survive in a highly competitive international market. Meanwhile, Surinam has placed orders for three Dhruvs worth $15.3 million (Rs 75 crore) for its army for logistics and armed roles.

Buoyed by the response to Dhruv, HAL had embarked on the development of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), a full scale model of which was unveiled at Aero India 2007. Unfortunately, the project has not progressed as envisaged and the prototype is expected to be ready only by August this year. In the meantime, HAL has undertaken to develop a three-tonne Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) for the Indian armed forces. Of the total requirement for 384 machines for the Indian military, 197 would be imported. HAL has been tasked to design and manufacture the remaining 187 with attributes similar to the ones imported. Developing a machine within a respectable time frame and matching one procured from abroad, would prove a daunting challenge for HAL. But success with the Dhruv programme has infused HAL with the confidence essential to progress with the LCH and LUH programmes. The LUH programme has government sanction and the designing process has been underway for the last eight months. The prototype may fly sooner than expected. RFP for the balance of 197 LUH has already been issued for the second time, the first attempt having run aground in the wake of alleged irregularity in the process of flight evaluation.

Incidentally, Bell Helicopter of the US has declined to respond to the RFP ostensibly on account of the 50 per cent offset requirement which the company feels would be impossible to comply with. Bell and Boeing have also opted not to respond to the RFP for the two dozen Attack Helicopters to replace the fleet of MI-35s owing to the limited time frame in which response to RFP was called for. Withdrawal of US companies would ease the competition for the European and Russian companies bidding for the contract.

In the fixed wing regime, the licence manufactured SU-30 MKI, pride of the Indian Air Force and the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer were a part of both static and flying display. Order books of HAL are full with sizeable numbers of both types to be delivered. The much talked about indigenous product from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL, the LCA Tejas, appeared to have impressed not only the milling crowds but the Minister of Defence AK Antony himself. He was visibly excited watching the aircraft go through its rehearsed sequence of aerobatic manoeuvres. However, there are a number of technological and design issues lingering with the LCA programme. It is understood that EADS is likely to provide consultancy services to help resolve problems, hasten the flight test programme for operational clearance as also to assist in the development of the carrier version for the Indian Navy. EADS is also in the race to provide the EJ 200 engine with thrust-vectoring nozzles for the LCA. HAL is also working on a two-seat trainer version of the LCA which is expected to take to the air later in the year. Backed with the experience with the LCA, the DRDO is looking ahead to develop a twin-engine, 20-tonne class Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) with stealth characteristics.

Unfortunately, the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), HJT 36, also known as the Sitara, could not participate on account of a mishap a few days prior to the commencement of the air show. In Aero India 2007, the IJT had crashed at Yelahanka while on takeoff for display. Both these incidents were attributable to technical failure. With the Kiran fleet rapidly approaching the end of its technical life, the IAF is in urgent need of the IJT to strengthen its basic jet training programme for fighter pilots.

Ranking 34 and aspiring for the 20th position among global aerospace companies, HAL is now gearing up for the next level of technology. Negotiations with Russian companies are in progress on two new projects related to co-development of the next generation of military aircraft, the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, the PAK FA and the 18.5-tonne twin-engine Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MRTA). If equipped with avionics of western standards, the aircraft could ANTONY (CENTRE) LISTENS INTENTLY TO CAS AIR CHIEF MARSHAL F.H. MAJOR also aspire for civil certification. In any case, HAL is also exploring avenues for Public Private Partnership and foreign collaboration to develop a 70 to 110 seat regional passenger aircraft for civilian use. A major success in collaboration with Russia has been the Indo-Russian BrahMos cruise missile programme. At Aero India, the CEO of BrahMos, Sivathanu Pillai stated that a new version, the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) will be inducted into the IAF in 2012. The ALCM will be integrated with the SU-30 MKI.

The Saras, an NAL designed and developed light executive aircraft both for civilian and military use, put up a short flying display on all days. In 2004, when the Saras undertook its maiden flight, it was over the design weight by 1000 kg, giving rise to doubts about is commercial viability. With a capacity to carry 14 passengers, the aim is to get the Saras to weigh less than 7000 kg through a weight reduction programme. The model displayed was described as slim & trim but is yet somewhat overweight and hence still has some distance to go before civil certification. The IAF is committed to buy a number of these machines.