Smruti D

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a slew of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with companies as diverse as Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (IAI), Dynamatic Technologies Limited (DTL), Elbit Systems and New Space Research & Technologies Pvt. Ltd at the DefExpo 2020 that was held in Lucknow.

HAL officials after signing an MoU with Elbit Systems and New Space Research & Technologies Pvt. Ltd

First off the block was the tripartite MoU between HAL, IAI and DTL. Aimed at marketing, manufacturing and sell­ing of IAI’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to potential Indian customers such as the armed forces, paramilitary and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the agreement was signed by executive director, corporate planning, HAL, Sanjiv Shukla, executive vice president, marketing, IAI, Eli Alfassi and executive director & global COO hydraulics and homeland security, DTL, Arvind Mishra.

CMD, HAL, R. Madhavan, who was present at the ceremony, said, “The collaboration will provide excellent opportu­nity to HAL to expand its product offerings to defence customers, absorb critical technologies and strengthen the aerospace ecosystem in the country, especially for UAVs.”

President and CEO, IAI, Nimrod Sheffer, added that In­dia was an important strategic market for UAVs and that he was confident of IAI’s extensive experience and HAL’s technological capabilities. According to him, DTL would lead to significant advancements in the field.

The other MoU was signed with Elbit Systems’ ISTAR Division. Director (Engineering and R&D), HAL, Arup Chatterjee and vice president (business development and marketing), Elbit Systems Roy Zentner inked the agreement in the presence of R. Madhavan. The MoU aims at assessing the feasibility of joint development of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for maritime and land-based military operations. Though primarily aimed at the domestic requirements, it will eventually look at export possibilities too. The VTOL UAV will be rotary wing in 2,000 kg class.

HAL also signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the New Spac