JVs & MoUs at Aero India

GE Marine and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the expansion of HAL’s manufacturing capabilities to include assembly, inspection, and testing (AIT) of the LM500 marine gas turbine.

Since 1986, HAL’s IMGT Division has been providing AIT of GE’s LM2500 marine gas turbine, which is installed aboard Indian Navy’s P-17, P-17A, and IAC-1 Vessels.  The LM2500 is the world’s most popular marine gas turbine and is derived from GE’s TF39 and CF6-6 aircraft engines. As on date, HAL has delivered 22 LM2500 gas turbines for 11 Indian naval vessels.

The MoU will explore allowing HAL to perform AIT for GE’s LM500 marine gas turbine for use in an indigenous 4 mega-watt gas turbine generator for possible installation aboard future Indian naval vessels. The LM500 is derived from GE’s CF34 aircraft engine and is installed globally in naval applications for both mechanical propulsion and power generation.

“GE has been our valued partner for more than three decades working together supporting Indian Navy fleets including India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier by delivering LM2500 Gas Turbines. We are happy to see that the partnership is now at the inflection point of growth, with LM500 Gas Turbine in 4 MW category. Further, HAL and GE are working to enhance the indigenous content in both the LM2500 and LM500 projects in line with the government’s policy of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” said CMD HAL, C.B. Anathakrishnan.

“GE Marine is pleased to have HAL as a trusted partner in India.  For over 35 years, GE and HAL have worked together to support the Indian Navy, and this MoU is the next step in demonstrating our commitment. As we look ahead at the Navy’s future surface combatants, the LM500 is extremely well suited to provide the power generation needed for the next generation of Indian surface combatants,” said vice president, sales and marketing, GE Marine, Mark Musheno.

The MoU was exchanged between vice president, Indo-Pacific GE Aviation Military Systems, Youngje Kim and executive director (Engines & IMGT), HAL, B. Krishna Kuman in the presence of CEO (Bangalore Complex) HAL, Mihir Kanti Mishra.

Thales and BDL to join hands for ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided rocket solution

Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), signed an MoU for setting up manufacturing facilities in India for precision-strike 70mm laser guided rockets (FZ275 LGR).

Through the agreement, BDL will become a part of the FZ275 LGR global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of Indian manufactured components to existing and future 70mm laser guided rockets customers. This agreement will also provide the opportunity for BDL to offer a ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided rocket solution for existing helicopter fleet of Advanced Light Helicopters (WSI) and Light Combat Helicopters of the Indian government.

Thales is the original equipment manufacturer of FZ275 LGR, the lightest, shortest and most versatile 70mm laser guided rocket on the market with high level of accuracy. It can be deployed in day and night operations at ranges between 1.5m up to 7km (on helicopter).

Speaking on this collaboration, chairman and managing director, BDL, Cmde Siddharth Mishra stated, “We are pleased to partner once again with Thales, this time for precision-strike 70mm laser guided rockets. Leveraging our long experience in building precision guided ammunition and our diverse industrial expertise, we look forward to reaching new heights of excellence with this partnership and contributing to the prestigious ‘Make in India’ initiative.”

Vice president and Country Director, India-Thales, Ashish Saraf said, “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Bharat Dynamics Limited. In support of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, this collaboration seeks to further develop in-country capability of producing advanced weapon systems such as 70mm laser guided rockets to cater to export markets besides assisting the Indian Armed Forces in their mission to effectively safeguard the nation.”

BEL Signs MoU with ADA, DRDO, for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme

Bharat Electronics Ltd signed an MoU with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO, for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The MoU was announced on the sidelines of the ‘Bandhan’ event held at Aero India 2023.

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft is a 5^th Generation, multi-role, all-weather fighter aircraft designed with high survivability and stealth capability. The MoU aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and ADA, wherein both the parties will cooperate for the design, development, qualification, production and supply of Internal Weapon Bay Computer and other LRUs for AMCA and provide lifetime product support to the Indian Air Force.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was established under the department of defence research and development (DR&D), ministry of defence (MoD), government of India, at Bangalore, in 1984 to oversee the development of the nation’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. The primary objective of ADA is the design and development of LCA to meet the air staff requirements (ASR) specified by the Indian Air Force, and subsequently, the design and development of carrier borne naval variant and advance version of LCA (Mk1A, Mk2), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) Aircraft, etc.

BEL, Cisco Enter into Strategic Partnership to Scale & Secure India’s Digital Infrastructure

Bharat Electronics Ltd signed an MoU with Cisco for long-term strategic cooperation in the areas of networking, collaboration and security, among other associated services.

The partnership aims at leveraging the strengths and capabilities of BEL and Cisco to capitalise on opportunities emerging in the domains of network and security. BEL, by virtue of this MoU, is looking at elevating its relationship with Cisco — to that of a ‘strategic partner’.

President, Cisco India & SAARC Daisy Chittilapilly said: “India i