Composite raw material MoU signed
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) two deals signed at the Aero India 2021 are to present a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Indian Air Force for their Basic Trainers requirement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development and production of composite raw materials for a private sector enterprise.
The RFP is for 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft with provision for 38 more, said the Defence Ministry on 4 Feb 2021.
The production for Basic Trainers will take place at HAL’s two manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik. The trainer will have more than 60% indigenous content and is supported by agencies such as Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Regional Director Aeronautical Quality Assurance (RDAQA), Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) among others.
HAL is also committed to develop and produce composite raw material under an MoU with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI).
HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan, who signed the MoU, said composites raw materials mainly in the form of prepregs used in platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) are currently imported.
MIDHANI Chairman and Managing Director Dr. S K Jha said this is the major step forward in the area of composite materials.
The HAL is not only taking care of frontline aircraft production but also raw materials as there is no equivalent proven Indian approved/qualified supplier for various types of prepregs (carbon, aramid, glass types, etc) for the aircraft applications, he pointed out after signing the MoU.
The usage of composites in the aerospace is going to exist and increase, particularly for fighter aircraft/helicopter because of its inherent advantages over metallic raw materials, he said.
In addition, similar requirement exists for other aerospace and defence programmes, including those of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), according to Dr. Jha. #makeinIndia #manufacturing #contracts #projects /fiinews.com
