Indo-Russian FGFA project set to take off
Hemanth C SFirst Published : 03 Feb 2009 04:20:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 03 Feb 2009 11:40:56 AM IST
BANGALORE: Keen on replicating the success of the Indo-Russian supersonic BraHmos cruise missile project, the defence establishments of both the countries are willing to bury their differences over the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and get the project kickstarted by the middle of this year.
The FGFA study programme which was initiated between India and Russia in 2007, has been a slow-starter as the Air Forces of the two countries have had differences over the aircraft project.
While the Indian Air Force wants a two-seat version to meet the requirements of Indias air superiority policy, the Russian Air Force wants a single- seat version.
There have been differences between the two Air Forces as both have specific requirements.
These issues will be sorted out soon and by the middle of the year we expect to start work so that the aircraft is inducted by 2017, M Fakruddin, Director-Corporate Planning and Marketing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) told to The New Indian Express.
A general contract had been signed in December last year between HAL and Rosoboron Export for the design and development of the aircraft by the Sukhoi design bureau and the Indian aviation major.
The fifth generation fighter is expected to feature high manoeuvrability and stealth in order to ensure air superiority and precision in destroying ground and sea targets.
Lockheed Martins F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II are among a few of the fifth generation fighter aircraft in the world.
MRO facility on hold
HALs plans to set up an aerospace MRO (maintenance, repair and overhauling) facility at the HAL airport has been put on hold due to the economic recession.
The MRO facility at the HAL airport is on the backburner, as we do not see it feasible at this point of time to have one. The rise in fuel prices, the decrease in passenger traffic and the economic slowdown have all impacted the business. We have decided to wait for some time, said Fakruddin.
HAL had been mulling over the idea of starting a MRO facility at the HAL airport after the commercial flight operations shifted to Bengaluru International Airport last year.
Hemanth C SFirst Published : 03 Feb 2009 04:20:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 03 Feb 2009 11:40:56 AM IST
BANGALORE: Keen on replicating the success of the Indo-Russian supersonic BraHmos cruise missile project, the defence establishments of both the countries are willing to bury their differences over the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and get the project kickstarted by the middle of this year.
The FGFA study programme which was initiated between India and Russia in 2007, has been a slow-starter as the Air Forces of the two countries have had differences over the aircraft project.
While the Indian Air Force wants a two-seat version to meet the requirements of Indias air superiority policy, the Russian Air Force wants a single- seat version.
There have been differences between the two Air Forces as both have specific requirements.
These issues will be sorted out soon and by the middle of the year we expect to start work so that the aircraft is inducted by 2017, M Fakruddin, Director-Corporate Planning and Marketing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) told to The New Indian Express.
A general contract had been signed in December last year between HAL and Rosoboron Export for the design and development of the aircraft by the Sukhoi design bureau and the Indian aviation major.
The fifth generation fighter is expected to feature high manoeuvrability and stealth in order to ensure air superiority and precision in destroying ground and sea targets.
Lockheed Martins F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II are among a few of the fifth generation fighter aircraft in the world.
MRO facility on hold
HALs plans to set up an aerospace MRO (maintenance, repair and overhauling) facility at the HAL airport has been put on hold due to the economic recession.
The MRO facility at the HAL airport is on the backburner, as we do not see it feasible at this point of time to have one. The rise in fuel prices, the decrease in passenger traffic and the economic slowdown have all impacted the business. We have decided to wait for some time, said Fakruddin.
HAL had been mulling over the idea of starting a MRO facility at the HAL airport after the commercial flight operations shifted to Bengaluru International Airport last year.
