HAL And Irkut’s Joint Tactical Transport Project

HAL And Irkut’s Joint Tactical Transport Project

(NSI News Source Info) BANGALORE - February 15, 2009: The IRKUT Corporation proudly presents the programme of the Indo-Russian Transport Aircraft. The international project on joint development, production and sales of twin-turbofan Tactical Transport Aircraft envisions solidary cooperation of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (India), the IRKUT Corporation and the Ilyushin Aviation Complex (Russia), with their design teams to be merged into a virtual enterprise. The programme of Tactical Transport Aircraft development will significantly broaden the horizons of Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation. While implementing this innovative programme, Russian and Indian engineers will acquire invaluable experience and expertise in joint creation of the top-of-the-line aviation product. For the first time, the airlifter is being co-developed by both countries on a parity basis without governmental financing with the project's cost of nearly USD 300 … 400 mln. The IRKUT Corporation plays a key role of major investor (40% of project expenses) and coordinator of the Russian side. By 2015-2020 this transport aircraft with up to 18.5-t carrying capability is supposed to replace aging fleet of the An-12, An-26, C-130. Indian Air Force plans to acquire 45 Tactical Transport Aircraft. Additionally Russian market will demand nearly 100 transport aircraft within next 12 years. The feasibility study is mainly completed.

Hindustan Aeronautics has entered into a $700-million joint venture (JV) agreement with Irkut Corporation of Russia for manufacturing 60-tonne multi-role transport aircraft (MRTA). Under this 50:50 JV, Ilyushin Design Bureau of Russia will design the MRTA and Irkut corporation of Russia will develop the aircraft.

Series production of 100-seater MRTA aircraft will be taken up by the transport aircraft division of HAL at Kanpur. Initially, HAL plans to develop MRTA as a freighter aircraft for military use. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Ashok Baweja, chairman, HAL, said, “We are also in dialogue with Airbus for setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) plant at the existing HAL airport in Bangalore.

The discussion will start taking shape next month.” He added, “Once the upcoming international airport in Devenhalli becomes operational, we will also use the existing airport for certification process of our own aircraft.”

HAL has also signed a $20-million ten-year deal with the US-based aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a part of the United Technologies company for manufacturing high-precision engine components.

“HAL order book as of March 2006 is about Rs 30,000 crore, which it expects to liquidate in three to four years,” said Mr Baweja. HAL is planning to set up an engine plant in Bangalore and Koraput in Orissa for manufacturing the high-precision engine components with Pratt & Whitney.

These plants are expected to become operational only after two years. Bangalore will have a plant for static engine parts and Koraput for rotating engine parts.