HAL inks MTA follow-on pact with Russia

[IND151]

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the aerospace major, signed the Preliminary Design Phase (PDP) Contract today with the United Aircraft Corporation - Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA), the Russian partner and their JV-Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) for the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). The pact was signed as a follow on contract of the General Contract signed between the three parties in May this year. "With this HAL and UAC-TA will start the preliminary design work immediately at Moscow. HAL design team consisting of 30 designers will be positioned at UAC-TA," said R K Tyagi, Chairman, HAL who was present on the occasion.

The primary objective of the project is to achieve self- reliance in design, development and production of aircraft of this size and also to manage the programme with international collaboration and large number of global suppliers, he added. The contract was signed by T Suvarnaraju, HAL's Director (Design and Development) and S Velmozhkin, General Director, UAC-TA.

An Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed on November 12, 2007 to design, develop and produce the multi-role transport aircraft in the 15-20 tonne class, jointly by the Indian and Russian agencies (HAL and UAC-TAS) to meet the requirements of 100 aircraft for the Russian Air Force, 45 aircraft for the IAF and 60 for other countries. The total requirement for the present is 205.

On completion of the agreed work share of the PDP Contract in 10 months, Detail Design Phase (DDP) Contract will be signed to complete the design and development of MTA.

The aircraft will be designed for cargo/troop transportation, paradrop/air drop of supplies including 'low altitude parachute extraction system' and is to be co-developed by HAL, UAC, and Rosoboronexport of Russia, through MTAL. More UNI MK SW1734 NNNN

http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rc...g4CIDA&usg=AFQjCNF6bNh6qxB6rq-5m0WzREHcSap7OA

 

[IND151]

defence eXpress: India Russia signs follow-on MTA contract

 

[Terminator]

Total requirement for the present is 205 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! really & 60 for other countries (Export)..that's hell of a news..we are into big global defence market...$$$$$$$$$

 

[Gessler]

Total requirement for the present is 205 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! really & 60 for other countries (Export)..that's hell of a news..we are into big global defence market...$$$$$$$$$

Well it has got a lot of international competition as well in this category, Kawasaki C-2 is a
fine competitor, Ive heard Embraer is also building a similar transport ac with 2 jet engines.

 

[Terminator]

Well it has got a lot of international competition as well in this category, Kawasaki C-2 is a
fine competitor, Ive heard Embraer is also building a similar transport ac with 2 jet engines.

But we have advance order of 205 units & 60 for export... that's enough to engage the production line for years bro.

 

[IND151]

^^ yes right

 

[Sergi]

But we have advance order of 205 units & 60 for export... that's enough to engage the production line for years bro.

50/50 work share means each production line get 102 now. 25 AC/ year. 4 years of business. That good enough in terms of $$$ and experience

 

[IND151]

^^ 25 AC per year is really good

however HAL may have to opt for Expansion for that, as it is already very busy in completing existing orders; hence it's current capacity may prove inadequate

 

[Tshering22]

HAL better separate its fixed, rotary, combat, transport and light transport divisions with each of them having specialized staff.

If they don't do that, a lot of our projects would get delayed.

We need dedicated assemblies for so many platforms now.

But it is great that we're getting this. The best part is, we and the Russians don't have to depend on external exports for the project to survive. With 205+ orders from both us and Russians, the plants would easily be chugging for a good decade if not more, which can easily attract acquisition interests from friendly countries like Vietnam, Venezuela etc.

 

[Tshering22]

Well it has got a lot of international competition as well in this category, Kawasaki C-2 is a
fine competitor, Ive heard Embraer is also building a similar transport ac with 2 jet engines.

The competition is going to be very limited for the HAL/IL/214 because of a few reasons:

1- Japanese CX-2 is not out for exporting to third parties. Japanese products cost a bomb. They're too expensive for developing countries which form a large part of the world.

2- The Embraer KC-390 forms a real competition as Brazil has a strong aerospace industry and credibility of many other platforms with timely delivery. The KC-390s are likely to dominate the South American and Iberian markets which have a good Embraer presence in the form of other platforms.

3- The place where these competitions weaken are our immediate and extended neighborhood. While I don't express optimism in export in south Asia (which is a Russian prerogative anyway), there is a strong opportunity in Southeast Asia and Africa. A lot of countries here have Russian equipment and this new niche of transport aircraft will be a welcome, becoming the strong transport backbone of smaller air forces.

And finally, the MTA doesn't have to depend on external orders due to massive stakeholder orders in itself. If the article speaks the truth, the factories both in Russia and here would be very busy for at least a decade before it can take in third party orders.

 

[sancho]

And finally, the MTA doesn't have to depend on external orders due to massive stakeholder orders in itself. If the article speaks the truth, the factories both in Russia and here would be very busy for at least a decade before it can take in third party orders.

150 aircrafts for Russia and India are not that much for a medium class transport aircraft and by the time it will arrive and with all the competitors, it will be very difficult to get export sales. We would have been in a better position if we had joined the A400 or the KC390 developments.

 

[Tshering22]

150 aircrafts for Russia and India are not that much for a medium class transport aircraft and by the time it will arrive and with all the competitors, it will be very difficult to get export sales.

Please read the article carefully; 205 are the total numbers to be churned out and even if this includes potential exports, the requirement for IAF and VVS will increase. Russia has indicated a requirement of 100 aircraft. To replace An-32s, we will need more than 50 of these to replace them. At least 30 more.

This would further see foreign interest. I think by the time MTA program matures, it would have sold easily close to 400 platforms. We must remember that there is no shortage of Russia's former customers and friendly countries.

There is simply no competition to the MTA apart from the Brazilian KC-390. I think a little competition is something we should have so as to keep our edges sharp. Our mentality has become blunted after having years of internal monopoly. If we have competition, both our work force and Russians would be on their toes and give good platforms with excellent after-sales support which would actually encourage sales.

Fearing competition will only make us duller.

We would have been in a better position if we had joined the A400 or the KC390 developments.

Pray tell me how would it benefit us?

The A400M is in a limbo right now. It costs much more than a C-130 and delivers only marginal advantage not worth the cost according to some stakeholders. It has virtually become Europeans' JSF program where stakeholders such as South Africa and Malaysia have already expressed concern or backed out.

The aircraft is in test phase and despite its seemingly good performance at air shows, is nowhere close to inductions despite what Germans, French or British say. What's more, it is a much heavier class of transport aircraft; a notch below C-17 and a notch above C-130.

What we are looking for is something of a third tier which is a notch lower than C-130 but can carry a significant tactical load.

A400M will only doom us like rest of European stakeholders.

The KC-390 is in the same stage as the MTA is. So what is the distinctive advantage you're proposing?

 

[jha]

Going by the latest article by ACM P.V.Naik ( Retd.) , C-27 will be procured to replace the AVROs.

So, Basically in future we will have Dornier + C-27 + C-130 + MTA + Il-76 + C-17 as transport/Support fleet. Very extensive and expensive i must say..

 

[janon]

Going by the latest article by ACM P.V.Naik ( Retd.) , C-27 will be procured to replace the AVROs.

So, Basically in future we will have Dornier + C-27 + C-130 + MTA + Il-76 + C-17 as transport/Support fleet. Very extensive and expensive i must say..

The Il-7 wont serve for too long. They will be retired in 10 years or so. The C-17 will be the only heavy transport aircraft, and though costly to acquire, would be cheaper to operate and maintain than the Il-76 is. The other aircrafts you mentioned are all reasonably priced.

 

[jha]

The Il-7 wont serve for too long. They will be retired in 10 years or so. The C-17 will be the only heavy transport aircraft, and though costly to acquire, would be cheaper to operate and maintain than the Il-76 is. The other aircrafts you mentioned are all reasonably priced.

Il-76 will be with us for a long long time... Phalcons are based on them. Plus dont be surprised if Il-76 goes for another MLU to bring them to Il-476 standards.