Transport Aircraft for IAF

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 10 Apr 2014 14:55

Latest IL-476 news,"200 aircraft by 2025,peak production at the rate of 18 /yr."
05.04.2012
Serial production of up-to-date Il-476 airlifter will start in 2014 year
Up-to-date Il-476 airlifter will be assembled in Ulyanovsk and then under its own power will be transferred to Taganrog, where high-tech "stuff" will be mounted at liner. Representatives of "Aviastar-SP" Aviation Plant and Beriev Aircraft Company agreed about this at the meeting in Taganrog.

Director General of "Aviastar-SP", Mr. Sergey Dementiev, said that "from 2014 serial production of Il-476 airlifter will begin, the main customer is the Ministry of Defence of Russia. The plant is completing the construction of flight hardware, and already three serial aircraft have been founded. Totally 200 aircraft have to be assembled by 2025. "Peak" production capacity is 18 aircraft per year", — noted Dementiev.

In turn, Director General of Beriev Aircraft Company, Mr. Viktor Kobzev said, that "Ulyanovsk plant — the youngest in Russian aviation industry, therefore in its capacities there are installed such high technologies, that many other specialized plants in the world do not have".

New Il-476 airlifter will be able to reach speed up to 850 km/h and to transport payload up to 50 tones for distance of more than 7000 km.

Source: AVIA.RU.

There's never been a single accident with the old IL-76 after decades of service. I know an AM ,transport specialist who praised it very highly.If C-17 prod. is ending,what heavylifter will we be able to acquire a decade from now,(even from 2020) when our existing IL-76s begin ending their useful life? IL-476 production in Russia will continue for at least a decade and given Russian requirements alone will only increase,watch the situ around 2020,if one is still alive and kicking!

As for the one C-17 is better than 3 IL-476s,what happens when the lone C-17 also lacks support and spares? No aircraft type can be 100% available always.There's always safety in numbers. One must also remember that if there was support/spares issues with the Il-76s,they were finally assembled in Uzbekistan,not in Russia,which became problematic after the collapse of the USSR.This problem has been corrected with the entire upgraded aircraft now being built in Russia at Aviastar's Ulyanovsk plant.Here is a report from Janes',last yr. after trials completion prior to production.

Aviastar completes Il-476 flight trial programme
Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
21 May 2013

Aviastar SP has completed company flight trials of its Ilyushin Il-476 strategic transport aircraft, the company announced on 21 May.

Russia's Il-476 transport aircraft has completed its programme of 22 company run flight trials. (Aviastar)Russia's Il-476 transport aircraft has completed its programme of 22 company run flight trials. (Aviastar)

Aviastar SP conducted 22 company run test flights of the aircraft, which is marketed internationally as the Il-76MD-90A. The aircraft, RA-79650 is now being prepared by Aviastar technicians for transfer to the Russian Ministry of Defence, who will conduct further tests on the aircraft. Once this second stage of testing has successfully completed, the aircraft will the certified for commercial sales.

The Il-476 is a further incremental upgrade on the 1970s vintage Ilyushin Il-76 'Candid' strategic transport aircraft. The Il-476 is manufactured by Aviastar SP, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation's (UAC's) Ilyushin aircraft design and manufacture bureau, at its Ulyanovsk aircraft factory.

Other reports:

Ulyanovsk Aviastar begins production of transport aircraft Il-476, on the line — Ruslan

Ulyanovsk Aircraft Factory "Aviastar-SP" from this year will build transport aircraft Il-476 — a high-tech upgrade military transport Il-76. In the first game — 3 cars. The organization of production in Ulyanovsk caused the discontinuation of IL-76 production at the Tashkent Chkalov aviaobedinenii, said the regional governor Sergei Morozov.

"There are also negotiations on the conclusion of a contract for the production of Ulyanovsk aircraft An-124" Ruslan ", it will create new jobs and increase wages at the plant by at least 25 percent", — said Morozov.
Октябрь 18th, 2013

Source: AVIA.RU.[/quote]

No disrespect to the C-17,great aircraft but at v. high cost. We will have to wait and see after a few years how the aircraft has settled in into IAF colours.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 10 Apr 2014 15:13

The *total* heavy lift capability for IAF had been pegged at 25 IL-476 (which is about 17 C-17s).

So, either IAF gets the remaining 7 C-17s or procures another 10ish IL-476s. After that there is no need to get any more.

Btw, the Cs too have an exemplary record of safety. So that should not be an issue.

vic · Post by **vic** » 10 Apr 2014 15:17

There will be possible to achieve substantial amount of commonality between MRTA and new IL-476 in engines, avionics, sub components etc. IL-76 may have a problem with spares availability which can be tackled but how to tackle the problems of SANCTIONS with US equipment in case of any war?

amit · Post by **amit** » 10 Apr 2014 15:36

Philip wrote:No disrespect to the C-17,great aircraft but at v. high cost. We will have to wait and see after a few years how the aircraft has settled in into IAF colours.

Sorry to butt into this discussion. But I do remember that the "v. high cost" bogeyman was shot down several times during the big debate we had on C-17 vs ILs. It's there in the archives.

A transport aircraft's TCO cannot be calculated from the sticker price. The lifetime cost of operations (including downtime and the number of trips required to move X tons of material from point A to point B ) is the key. A lot of hard evidence as well as anecdotal was provided to show that it's not a straightforward, Oh C-17 is soooooo much more costly that the ILs.

It never ceases to amaze me how urban legends have an habit of reappearing on threads after they have been shot down. One must applaud the single minded doggedness of those selling snake oil.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 10 Apr 2014 19:53

but how to tackle the problems of SANCTIONS with US equipment in case of any war?

C-17s: Sanctions in times of war ................... yes, indeed a great concern. But, 80%+ up-time during times of peace.

IL-76s: Sanctions in times of peace (9 of 17 operational?) ..................... What to talk of during times of war?

May peace prevail.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 10 Apr 2014 23:37

So at least 9/17 IL76 operational during times of war as against 0 C17 - that means IL76 could be a simple choice; not to mention acquisition costs would be considerably cheaper too. 25 IL746 could be much more preferable in times of war.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 01:39

Oh, forgot to mention that even for those 9 IL-76s, the IAF had floated an international tender to support them!!!

Slow day, very slow day.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 02:23

Just BTW:

March, 2009 :: "Мы возвращаем культуру серийного производства" ("We bring back the culture of mass production")

Translated version:

March 31, 2009 JSC " United Aircraft Corporation " ( UAC ) organized a press tour in an aircraft factory " Aviastar-SP " ( Ulyanovsk) on the occasion of the transfer of the "Jubilee " Tu-204 -100B with serial number 64050 airline Red Wings.

As part of the press tour director general of " Aviastar-SP " Michael Shushpanov held a press conference . Initially, he answered the questions of journalists alone, then joined by General Director of JSC " Ilyushin Finance Co. " ( IFC ) Alexander Rubtsov and First Deputy General Director of JSC " Airline " Red Vingz " Viktor Kononenko . " AviaPort " leads speakers conversation with reporters, took part in a press tour .

- M.Shushpanov : The main reason for which we are gathered today , began shipping in operation for the next " Aviastar " 50 - second account of the Tu- 204. This is a significant event for the plant staff . Production Tu-204 at one time had been suspended , it is now restored production , the company today produces one airplane per month. But, unfortunately , one aircraft per month becomes too much : in a crisis , demand for passenger aircraft falls . However , last year the plant put into operation six aircraft , this year we plan to transfer nine Tu-204. But the plant could easily build 12 aircraft.

Simultaneously " Aviastar " puts into production transport aircraft IL -476 . Within the framework of a state contract is pre-production , and we very much hope that the market for this product will be promising. Here we are working closely with the management company " UAC - Transport Aircraft " and we hope that this year will sign a contract for the implementation of the first batch of six aircraft IL-476 . We believe that this issue is very promising, and it will be in the future one of the main activities of " Aviastar " .

KLA positions " Aviastar " as the main enterprise , which should have the competence to build medium and large passenger transport aircraft .

This event coincided with a business trip to the enterprise Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko . We have to talk about , you need to solve several issues important for the future of the plant.

- The first six Il- 476 will be built for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation ?

- M.Shushpanov : None . These aircraft will be built for India. With regard to order the Defense Ministry, forecast 38 cars until 2020

- If this year's contract will be signed when the deliveries will start this aircraft?

- M.Shushpanov : We need to staging the production , which will require a large amount of the costs , both financial as labor and time . We transport aircraft for the first time put into production aircraft in the so-called digital form . Who finishes the development of such design documentation for this type of aircraft. For the Russian aircraft industry is only the second example , after the " Superjet " transition to modern technology.

IL-76 and IL-476 practically different planes . Even hard to call IL-476 deep modification of the IL- 76. Externally there is only like a fuselage , a wing of the aircraft is brand new on-board aircraft systems are totally different. But most importantly - a completely different production technology .

In order to make the plane on paperless technology to " Aviastar " since last year began technical upgrading . We acquire modern equipment specifically to ensure that this project. Because the equipment that was used at the plant earlier, unable to perceive the paperless form of production.

Short version.

Point of importance: In the very early stages, Russian vendor was very optimistic about "India" (and actually "China" too). I, for one, feel that they had based their calculus on these two "partners" (as Putin put it) would order between 50-60 planes. In 2009 he was so confident that the first 6 were for India. None so far. Cannot speak for China, but even if India orders it will be around 10 planes, not much more. That can only add to their headaches. And, actually, to the IAFs headache too. I do not trust the production cost that the Russians are paying. Bet it will cost India much, much more.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 11 Apr 2014 02:39

Simple facts.

One C-17 production is ending.What will we do in the future? Buy used C-17s and scrape up spares and support from here and there,or buy new Il-476s which will not have the support and spare problems being under series production in Russia,that earlier Il-76s had because they were NOT built in Russia but at Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Second point.In a multi-theatre conflict,with both Pak and China,the demand for heavylift will be huge on both fronts.A smaller number of C-17s cannot be everywhere at the same time.Time is of the essence.larger numbers of IL-76/476s will give the IAF the numbers they need.This is why we should upgrade those Il-76s in service which still have considerable life left in them. We're doing the same with all AN-32s,why not with the Il-76s? They would be a very good complement to the C-17s too.

Third point,insurance against sanctions if we N-test again.Let's not rule that out.Mr.Modi's remarks about making India strong and independent and a review of the NFU policy are possible indicators of the future roadmap that we take.

PS:BTW, IL-476 news,I posted earlier a 5/4/14 item where it states that 200 will be built by 2025 at a peak prod. rate of 18/yr.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 02:55

Simple facts.

One C-17 production is ending.What will we do in the future?

Where is the need for more? IF the IAF orders the next 6/7 C-17s, there is none. The *heavy lift* requirement is fulfilled.

As I have posted above, the Russians had *huge* hopes - the first six to India - and of selling India some 25 IL-476. In addition Russia went so far to cancel the IL-76s that china ordered with the intent of replacing that order with IL-476s (some 30-40).

On:

PS:BTW, IL-476 news,I posted earlier a 5/4/14 item where it states that 200 will be built by 2025 at a peak prod. rate of 18/yr

It would be nice - as always - to provide a link. google chacha points to your above post. TIA.

However, if they build 200, who is there to buy them? Do we know that?

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Apr 2014 08:18

>> states that 200 will be built by 2025 at a peak prod. rate of 18/yr.

I think thats their capability at peak mode. but not ordered. 39 are confirmed order. china might buy equal number as their old order got annulled after delivering a few airframes.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 11 Apr 2014 08:28

Now this is a Western report,from Flight Global,a special report on Russia.
http://www.flightglobal.com/features/ru ... facturing/

Russia special report

Managing a huge aerospace conglomerate is never an easy job. Doing so when the president and prime minister of your country take a close personal interest in its progress is positively unnerving. Especially when the president fired your predecessor.

That is the situation Mikhail Pogosyan, president of Russia's United Aircraft (UAC), has faced since he took up the role earlier this year.

Pogosyan was previously the general director of Sukhoi, responsible for military aircraft such as the Su-27 family of fighters. He retained his position and also that of RSK MiG chief executive when he stepped up to the top job. Both president Dmitry Medvedev and prime minister Vladimir Putin see the aerospace sector as an industry that can help spread the Russian economy away from its bias towards natural resources such as oil, gas and rare metals. They also see its potential as a valuable earner of foreign currency.
Ilyushin 1l-76
© AirTeamImages.com
Ilyushin's Il-76 is among the Russian airframes marketed by United Aircraft

Pogosyan puts the most positive interpretation on being the subject of close government attention. Speaking to Flight International in May, he noted that success in the commercial aviation market relied on the combined efforts of manufacturers, the supply chain and governmental assistance. "Certainly, we rely on the government's support," he said.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional airliner - now entering service - and the Irkut MS-21 150 to 210-seat airliner have real potential in international markets, Pogosyan says.

"It's very important to demonstrate the aircraft in flight," Pogosyan said ahead of the Superjet's flying display at the Paris air show at which he opened the door to launching a commercial aircraft programme within two years, saying his long-term strategy included three commercial aircraft programmes.

The existing two - the Superjet 100 and MS-21 - fill market sectors between 86 and 210 seats. If those programmes continue to mature on schedule, new aircraft could be added to the line-up. "Within one to two years, maybe we will be able to make announcements on the future products," Pogosyan says.

Also at Le Bourget, UAC revealed its long-term corporate strategy through 2025 that calls for realigning the Russian aerospace industries into clusters of expertise, including composites, wings, avionics, wiring and engines.

That is towards an ultimate goal of being a global aerospace power by 2025, with 40% of revenues coming from the civil market.

intellectual potential

That strategy is largely based on continuing to sell Russian airframes, including the Superjet 100 and MS-21 airliners, Su-35S and Mikoyan-Gurevich fighters, and the Ilyushin Il-76, An-124 and An-70, the latter two developed in partnership with Ukraine's Antonov.

Pogosyan intends to boost innovation through international alliances. UAC already co-operates closely with Italy's Alenia in marketing the Superjet, uses western European manufacturers such as Thales and Liebherr (see Feature P34) as suppliers, and in April signed a joint-venture agreement with Antonov. The joint venture will market and support civil airliners such as the An-148/158 regional jet and the An-70 military transport.

"To rely on the traditional co-operative ties that Russia has with Antonov makes sense when you're aiming at a renovation of serial production of transport aircraft," he said in May. "One of the top priorities for UAC is entry into the [military] transport aircraft market." Uniting the two companies' "intellectual potential" will create synergies that will allow them to move forward much faster .

UAC and Antonov are studying possible relaunch of the Antonov An-124 production. But, short term, they are looking to modernise existing examples. And there is renewed stress on Antonov An-70 medium transports, development of which has languished

Pogosyan has confirmed talks with Antonov on a schedule to launch serial production of An-70s. Production of the Ilyushin Il-476 - a major update of the Il-76 strategic transport with improvements such as more fuel-efficient Aviadvigatel PS90A2 engines and glass cockpit - is under way at the Aviastar-SP plant at Ulyanovsk, with service entry anticipated for 2013 and an estimated 50 aircraft required by the Russian air force by 2020. In total, the defence ministry intends to buy about 200 transport aircraft of various types by the end of the decade.

As one of the best-known and longest-serving members of Russia's aerospace industry, Pogosyan has a background of success.

He kept Sukhoi's military aviation interests afloat through the difficult 1990s and early 2000s, via substantial exports of the Sukhoi Su-27 family at a time when sales of Russian civil aircraft shrivelled. It has been speculated that Pogosyan's new role is "the world's worst aerospace exec job" (see weblink below). However, he seems as equipped as anyone could be to bring success to UAC.

Additional reporting by Stephen Trimble

http://www.aviationunion.org/news_second.php?new=109

Serial production of up-to-date Il-476 airlifter will start in 2014 year
Up-to-date Il-476 airlifter will be assembled in Ulyanovsk and then under its own power will be transferred to Taganrog, where high-tech "stuff" will be mounted at liner. Representatives of "Aviastar-SP" Aviation Plant and Beriev Aircraft Company agreed about this at the meeting in Taganrog.

Director General of "Aviastar-SP", Mr. Sergey Dementiev, said that "from 2014 serial production of Il-476 airlifter will begin, the main customer is the Ministry of Defence of Russia. The plant is completing the construction of flight hardware, and already three serial aircraft have been founded. Totally 200 aircraft have to be assembled by 2025. "Peak" production capacity is 18 aircraft per year", — noted Dementiev.

In turn, Director General of Beriev Aircraft Company, Mr. Viktor Kobzev said, that "Ulyanovsk plant — the youngest in Russian aviation industry, therefore in its capacities there are installed such high technologies, that many other specialized plants in the world do not have".

New Il-476 airlifter will be able to reach speed up to 850 km/h and to transport payload up to 50 tones for distance of more than 7000 km.

Source: AVIA.RU.

PS:The production rates and estimates may seem optimistic,but even if the production rate is half that,about 8-10 /yr.,the initial order of 40-50 Il-476s will be completed only by 2020.The series production requirements of the type should remain for at least a decade.

(200 transports of various types to be built by 2020 and 200 IL-476s by 2025)

PS:I'm also posting this without comment,as it is from the alleged losing manufacturer for the tanker contest,which AKA has "red flagged" for some reason.It has some informative details about the tanker's capabilities vis-a-vis the Airbus. Experts could debate the merits,etc. of the issue.

Xcpt:The Russian aircraft industry is betting on the military transport aviation
http://survincity.com/2013/09/the-russi ... ng-on-the/

The Indian perspective

Start at the Russian flight testing the latest version with new engines, avionics and wing structure (Il-76MD-90A) can theoretically improve the situation in favor of the KLA in the situation of losing our corporation in the Indian tender for the purchase of multi-role tanker aircraft, as without formal notice Indian side informed the company "Airbus Military" and a number of Western media (number 3 in the "MIC" on the basis of the press release, "Airbus Industrie" published a piece"A330 MRTT has won the Il-78M".-Ed.). As is the case with the competition MRCA, the results of which were announced on 31 January 2012, signing a solid contract could be delayed or even postponed.

"Currently, the park most capable aircraft in the Indian Air Force is formed on the basis of the Su-30MKI of our production. This park should be provided with modern tanker aircraft, and promising Russian tanker aircraft may well meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force "- said one expert. The total cost of the competition MRTT — about two billion dollars.

KLA offered a new car by 70-80 percent compared to the base version of the aircraft. It is made using entirely new methods of digital three-dimensional design. As noted in the press release, the Indian Air Force chose the multi-role transport tanker aircraft A330 MRTT after a long process of evaluation and flight tests in which the European tanker carried out the in-flight refueling of Indian combat aircraft of various types, working with high-altitude air base "Lech" ( Leh).

Tanker aircraft required the Indian Air Force due to their intention to buy in the next 20 years, more than 200 combat aircraft and the need to extend the range of the combat aircraft for the possibility of its involvement in regional conflicts
, both within and outside the region. Indian Air Force plans to buy 12 new tankers, including the first six, which was held on the specified tender. The victory of the A330 MRTT also told news media — U.S. "Difens News" and the Indian "Indian Express".

As the CEO said, "Airbus Military" Domingo Ureno Raso, India will be delivered today to the most perfect flying and certified transport tanker. In the near future will begin detailed negotiations the Indian Air Force and the "Airbus Military" as a result of which in 2013-2014 is planned to finalize a contract for the supply of equipment for the Indian Air Force six air tankers. At the same time, a source close to the Russian defense industry, said that our country has no official notification of the results of the contest did not get, and uncertain outcome of the tender can be only after the official announcement of the winner.

It should be noted that in its flight characteristics Il-78MK-90, originally designed as a military plane, meets all the requirements of a project application (Request for Proposal, RFP) — technical specifications the Indian Air Force. Moreover, the Russian machine, according to military experts, has a number of advantages over the A330 MRTT, created on the basis of civil-haul wide-body A330-200. In particular, the RFP requirement is the ability to parachute landing of personnel of military equipment and supplies to provide the Russian tanker and does not allow European aircraft. Il-78MK-90 Force technicians can quickly be converted into a full-fledged military-technical cooperation and implement the transfer of operational and landing of goods, heavy equipment and paratroopers. In this multi-functionality of the Russian platform provides the possibility to use the plane as a firefighting plane and flying hospital, while at the A330 MRTT can not. To solve transportation problems for the European aircraft required special airfield loading and unloading equipment and ladders.

Il-78MK-90 has the ability to refueling the two fuels in the same flight, which is not the case the A330 MRTT. Our tanker also produces a distribution of fuel on the ground at a rate of up to 1500 liters per minute for filling in the field up to four aircraft, vehicles and armored vehicles. Il-78MK-90 can take off from a runway (runway) with paved and unpaved, which expands the capabilities of its combat use. In particular, the plane potentially use up to 84 percent of all Indian runway, which eliminates the problem of dispersal of tankers on the country's airport network as needed. As experts note, A330 MRTT is only operated with paved runways of at least 2,800 meters. For the dispersal of the EU machine can not use more than 19.4 percent of all runway in India.

Powerplant Il-78MK-90 has four engines, which leads to a high level of survivability in the event of damage to the car of one of the engines. A330 MRTT equipped with two engines, which reduces the likelihood of the combat mission in case of failure or combat damage to one of them.

For delivery of materials transported in the cargo compartment of the Russian aircraft did not require a special airfield handling equipment. And all the airports, where it is assumed operation of A330 MRTT, must be equipped with such equipment, which increases the direct costs of the acquisition and life cycle cost of the platform as a whole.

Il-78MK-90 has the same configuration and aerodynamics, as consisting in service with the Indian Air Force tanker aircraft IL-78, and tested for compatibility with all the heavy refueling aircraft Indian Air Force. To carry out refueling AWACS from the A330 MRTT will require additional flight tests. This is due to the fact that the European aircraft engines are located significantly lower than IL-78, and satellite air jets may adversely affect the controllability refueled in the air AWACS aircraft with the dorsal antenna.

In addition, the system of refueling two aircraft must be tested for compatibility by contacting the dynamics and pace of the transfer of fuel.

Tanker Il-78MK-90 has a new fuel-efficient engines PS-90A-76, a modified wing, new enhanced chassis, providing take-off of aircraft at maximum takeoff weight of 210 tons, a modern complex digital avionics, including a "glass cockpit" with multifunctional color liquid crystal display (LCD) and intelligent control panels.

Compliance Il-78MK-90 international standards ICAO noise and emission allows this aircraft to intercontinental commercial traffic.

The base for the export of machinery and VTA

For the new Russian fuel tanker China started to show interest. PLA Air Force are in need of a significant expansion of fast growing fleet of combat aircraft. Although at present in China is implementing a program of creating a heavy PTS Y-20, conducted in the framework of military modernization, which aims to ensure that the opportunities transporting troops, weapons and equipment by air to previously announced plans to create on its basis a new Chinese tanker aircraft will be enough long.

The new Chinese MTC has a takeoff weight of about 200 tons, a payload mass of 50 tons, and its configuration has certain similarities with the American C-17 and the Russian IL-76. The aircraft is equipped with Russian engines as Chinese engine in this thrust class is in the development stage.

Assuming that the final results of the tender for the Indian tanker aircraft for the Russian side will be negative, they are unlikely to have any negative impact on the implementation of the program Il-476. In general, as noted by Lebanon with this project for the near term, the creation of a whole family of new-generation transport aircraft, the revival of the military transport aviation in Russia. In addition, our aviation industry is a new export product that meets all the requirements of the global aviation market. A first contract of the Ministry of Defense of Russia for the supply of 39 Il-76MD-90A — the basic design of machines in a new family of Russian transport aircraft — has confirmed its full compliance with the modern needs of our military. As the head of "IL", the new aircraft has a high export potential and will be offered through Rosoboronexport not only to countries that already have operating in the IL-76 and IL-78 the previous generation, but also the new consumers of Russian aircraft.

Nicholas Beginners,
editor in chief of ARMS-TASS

Сентябрь 17th, 2013

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 08:30

Singha wrote:>> states that 200 will be built by 2025 at a peak prod. rate of 18/yr.

I think thats their capability at peak mode. but not ordered. 39 are confirmed order. china might buy equal number as their old order got annulled after delivering a few airframes.

May 4, 2012 :: Serial production of up-to-date Il-476 airlifter will start in 2014 year

Up-to-date Il-476 airlifter will be assembled in Ulyanovsk and then under its own power will be transferred to Taganrog, where high-tech "stuff" will be mounted at liner. Representatives of "Aviastar-SP" Aviation Plant and Beriev Aircraft Company agreed about this at the meeting in Taganrog.

Director General of "Aviastar-SP", Mr. Sergey Dementiev, said that "from 2014 serial production of Il-476 airlifter will begin, the main customer is the Ministry of Defence of Russia. The plant is completing the construction of flight hardware, and already three serial aircraft have been founded. Totally 200 aircraft have to be assembled by 2025. "Peak" production capacity is 18 aircraft per year", — noted Dementiev.

In turn, Director General of Beriev Aircraft Company, Mr. Viktor Kobzev said, that "Ulyanovsk plant — the youngest in Russian aviation industry, therefore in its capacities there are installed such high technologies, that many other specialized plants in the world do not have".

New Il-476 airlifter will be able to reach speed up to 850 km/h and to transport payload up to 50 tones for distance of more than 7000 km.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 11 Apr 2014 08:33

PS:Reason why the Airbus tanker deal hasn't yet been signed,from the earlier press report posted.

The latest to come under the scanner is the Indian Air Force’s bid to buy six European Airbus-330 MRTT midair refuelers, said to be worth Rs 7,500 crore. The deal was ready to be signed after India had selected the Airbus platform against the Russian Ilyushin-78s tankers in the early part of 2013.

But now, after a Member of Parliament wrote to the Defence Minister complaining that the Airbus is facing a Central Bureau of Investigation probe in a nearly three-decade-old case in a civil aviation deal, Antony has ordered the procurement file for the Airbus-330 MRTT to be sent to the Law Ministry for an opinion, say officials.

This is the second time the midair refueler tender is facing rough weather.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 08:34

Now this is a Western report,from Flight Global,a special report on Russia.
http://www.flightglobal.com/features/ru ... facturing/

That is an *old* article, as in pre 2013. We should have better number today.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 11 Apr 2014 08:43

Wot to do! By the way,check into this Nov. 2012 issue of Take-Off,the Russian aviation mag.It has a wealth of info on many aircraft,some of which are in service ,giving good insights into details which otherwise would not be found in other reports.I've posted the table of contents. There was a special issue at the last BLR air show too.

http://en.take-off.ru/pdf_to/to24.pdf

INDUSTRY
MC-21 development on schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
PD-14: first stage of trials completed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Upgraded An-70 starts its trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Ruslan’s future: more questions than answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Russian Helicopters unveiled RACHEL advanced medium helicopter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mi-38 sets record and Mi-382 enters trials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ilyushin 476 has flown
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Phazotron’s radars for fighter jets and helicopters
Interview of Phazotron-NIIR Corporation Designer General Yuri Guskov . . . 14
MILITARY AVIATION
T-50: trials on schedule
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
MiG-29K lands on Vikramaditya
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
First batch of Irkut-built Yak-130s for RusAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Su-30SM kicks off its trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
New Tu-154M and An-140 for RusAF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
RusAF kicks off Ka-226 flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
First Ka-31R helicopters for Russian Navy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Another An-148 flew in Voronezh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Tu-204SM: certification tests to be complete before year-end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
10 Superjets already in Aeroflot’s fleet
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CONTRACTS AND DELIVERIES
MiG-29M2 debuts in Europe
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
More Il-96s for Presidential air detachment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Beriev amphibians for Russia and China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Russian-Indian MTA development deal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
New D-30KP-2 batch for China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
More Mi-171Es for PRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Mistral a la Russe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
34
November 2012

The latest issue available ,Nov. 2013,also has an excellent feature and pics about the MIG-29K aboard the Vik-A.

http://en.take-off.ru/pdf_to/to28.pdf

take-off
november 2013
www.take-off.ru

contents
COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Launch customers for Tu-204SM? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Cuba receives its third An-158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New MC-21 orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Superjet finds more customers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
IFC entering global market
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
INDUSTRY
Il-76MD-90A commences its official tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Trials of Russian Defence Ministry’s first An-148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Another Il-96 is airborne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Mi-38 to enter full-rate production in two years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Russian Helicopters displays RACHEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Debut of Mi-171A2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Certification of hydromechanical control system-equipped Ansat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Rysachok for commuter airlines and for the military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
An-140T – ramp-equipped version of regional airliner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Q400 to be made in Russia in the end? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Austrian ‘diamonds’ of Russian cut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Sukhoi supersonic bizjet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Debut of PD-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Ka-62 kicks off its trials
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Second wind of Yak-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Kaleidoscope of re-engined An-2s in Zhukovsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
New Mi-26T kicks off commercial service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
An-70 waiting for decision by Russian Defence Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Mi-28UB commences tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
MOTOR SICH programmes in helicopter industry
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
MILITARY AVIATION
The fifth T-50 is in the air! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
More Su-34s for RusAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Irkut carries on with Yak-130 deliveries to Russian Air Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Su-30SM’s fielding to start in autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
RusAF looks forward to Su-35S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
MiG-35 awaiting order by Russian Air Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
MiG-29K back on deck
Report from Vikramaditya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
COSMONAUTICS
Space novelties of MAKS 2013

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 08:53

Yeah, have seen/read all those. Does not help. in fact proves my point, which is:

The bottom line - as I see it - is that the Russians started all excited about the IL-476. They really thought they had the world in their fists - and rightfully so to some extent. But, now - as in today - are starting to face reality.

All that noise about 200 planes by 2025 is just fine. But, stark fact: 39 ordered, 2 to be delivered this year and 2 next. I am inclined to believe those numbers will hold. But, time will tell. ...............

My feel: IL better get international orders, or that is pretty much what they will get other than some for tankers/AWACS (which cannot make too much a dent)............ I think IL needs at least 100 lifters and another 20-30 others just on the military side. Then they can cater to non-military folks.

.... very interesting times.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 08:55

BTW, forgot. Boeing should be completing a beddown facility - for the C-17 - at Hindon(?) by years end. That with 80% up time has to count for something.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 11 Apr 2014 09:07

Check this site for a perspective on Russia's air assets by 2020.The table in the link is v. informative.
http://russiamil.wordpress.com/tag/sukhoi/

Russian Military Reform
Tracking developments in the Russian military

Sukhoi
January 15, 2013
Reviving the Russian Air Force

To summarize all this, here’s a table that shows Frolov and Barabanov’s view of what the air forces will look like in 2020:
New Modernized Old

There's also this titbit about poss. of another "200 SU-30s" apart from the 270+ to be built by 2020.Haven't heard of it before.

A contract for another 42 planes at a total cost of $4.3 billion was negotiated in 2010. These planes are to be delivered by 2018. Their high unit cost, compared to previous units, has sparked rumors that these planes would be provided to India’s Strategic Forces Command and would be designed to carry nuclear weapons. These rumors have not been confirmed to date. Thus, by the end of this decade, the Indian air force plans to have a total of 270 Su-30MKI fighters in service at a total cost of around $14 billion, making it the dominant aircraft in its fleet. Furthermore, Mikhail Pogosyan, the head of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has stated that India might purchase an additional 200 Su-30s in the foreseeable future.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 11 Apr 2014 09:40

So isn't this an ideal situation to buy IL-476 exactly as planned. Use these as little as possible and pile on spares for workhorse duty during war time. If we can do with IL-76 we can very well do with new supply chain from Russia. Now American transport planes of same requirements can be used well in peacetime; after all Americans won't like their planes used by others during war when their own fronttline Allie or another Allie is involved too, now do they?

This fits perfectly for transport jets - war time peace time scenario - since we have to discount wartime utility already!! What would have happened if we bought fighter jets from most modern most first world America? Perhaps we would be discussing up time during peace and then have to deal with zero wartime use only. What to do pakis have fasola and are allies of America.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Apr 2014 18:21

Philip wrote: Check this site for a perspective on Russia's air assets by 2020.The table in the link is v. informative.
http://russiamil.wordpress.com/tag/sukhoi/

Good news:

39 IL-476 (which we knew) and 30 IL-478 (tankers) (which I did not know) (but, do not know how far is that number right)

Bad news:

Retaining 60 IL-76MDs, upgrading 41 to IL-76MDM and 20 IL-78 (tankers)!!!

I am assuming that these IL-76s are older than those in the IAF. ?????

Whatever be the case, 101 of 140 *heavy lifters* they prefer to retain, so they are replacing just a third of their heavy lifters? They will have a rather old fleet in another 10 years?

That does NOT sound good to me.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Apr 2014 19:17

I think we not only need this sickular madness wrt to the A330MRTT but also get into IL86 type airborne strategic command posts and not depend on just a couple deep bunkers to retain C3I cohesiveness in the aftermath of a 1st strike upon us. being a 1st strike, nobody is going to be holding their punches.

perhaps the A330 itself can be suitably modified and heavily hardened against radiation and EMP like Rus has done. it might make sense to get it done with Russian help on a few heavily modded fresh IL-476 because none will help us in this , not boeing, not airbus.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... y_2010.jpg

if we are depending on the BBJ fleet orbiting at 9000ft with cellphones to serve as NEACP role in wartime we are sadly mistaken.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 12 Apr 2014 02:14

With the DK stuff a few months ago + the US Amby story and now the Crimea situation, Indo-US relations are perhaps at the lowest they have been in a decade or may be more. So, we should get a decent picture of which way the pendulum swings under stress.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 12 Apr 2014 09:38

The US SD seems to be the culprit,that regularly shoots itself in the foot and its friends in the face. There is a legacy of CW and neo-imperialist thinking,that rises to the surface at regular intervals clouding the waters.
Indo-US ties work better between corporate houses and their counterparts in the Us.The hard headed practicalities and pragmatism of business ensure that both sides benefit.Unfortunately at the state level,equality suffers and most often a patronising attitude emerges.

Take for instance the viewpoint of US analysts after both their birds were dropped for the MMRCA finals. India preferred a "technical decision instead of a relationship". I n other words,we should've sacrificed quality.capability and our requirements for an uncertain "relationship". It is no secret that whenever a
there is a hard choice to make,Pakistan is also supported and protected by the US vis-a-vis India. The US cannot expect India to jump into the same bed with Pak in a menage-a-trois! Especially when Pak relentlessly exports terrorism across the border with India.

The Indian elephant has along memory too.Sanctions after P-2 still rankles.A new dispensation under the BJP/NDA as is most likely may be able to cut through some of the distrust that has recently arisen,but O'Bomber is starting to enter his lame-duck period of his presidency,where his thoughts on leaving behind some sort of legacy is being derailed at home over healthcare,etc. In foreign affairs the spat with Russia reg. geo-political issues leaves little scope for any foreign policy success.JoKer-ry has been a disaster at efforts towards peace in the Middle East. Untangling the knots that St.Scamthony has left may take some time for his successor to achieve and for the moment,military ties look frozen.The transport deals ,plus P-8s are the high point in the relationship,v. lucrative for the US,and swift execution and delivery of the same is perhaps the best way in which the new dispensation can build upon what has been achieved thus far.That is if the Pentagon and SD are both singing bhajans from the same hymnsheet.

Sancho · Post by **Sancho** » 27 Apr 2014 08:25

Not sure if this is the right section, but can anybody tell me what happend to the selection of medium class transport aircraft of BSF? It was reported that the Airbus C295 won the competition, but due to issues with some contracts, in need to be re-started. That was in 2011/12, since then not much happend or?
Can anybody shed some light and give details about how many aircraft we are talking?

Gilles · Post by **Gilles** » 12 Jun 2014 23:10

Hello everyone, I haven't been following this thread for a long time. It has now been over a year since the IAF inducted the C-17.

Have any of them been used in short unpaved runways yet ?
Have any of them been used in long unpaved runways yet ?

Check out this article :

http://www.casr.ca/ft-afac-wants-a-c17.htm

In Canada, as in India, when the C-17 was being offered, every single article, editorial or press release about the C-17 praised its impressive short and unpaved field capability and those claims about unpaved and short field capabilities were always central to the aircraft's sales pitch.

Once the aircraft is purchased and delivered however, the language changes. The aircraft is "capable" of short unpaved landing, but why risk such an expensive aircraft on such runways unless it's absolutely necessary to do so ?

What the above article states is that the same people who were tasked by the Canadian Government for purchasing the C-17 and who always praised the C-17 for its ability to land in Canada's Arctic runways, are now in charge of purchasing a new aircraft, the Search and Rescue aircraft for Canada's military (FWSAR). These same people now claim that the C-17 is not capable of landing in most of Canada's Arctic Runways and that another new aircraft is needed.........

Since receiving its C-17s in 2007, as far as I know, Canada has only used it occasionally in CFS Alert's 5500 foot unpaved runway, an airport where the Canadian military used to charter civilian Boeing 737s to fly into before they had the C-17. Less than impressive........

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 29 Jun 2014 19:42

Error in piloting led to C-130J Hercules crash: IAF sources

NEW DELHI:Error in piloting is understood to have been found as the reason behind the crash of Air Force's C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in March in which five service personnel, including four officers, were killed near Gwalior.

The court of inquiry is almost complete and error in piloting is believed to have been the reason behind the crash, highly placed IAF sources said.

The aircraft, worth over Rs 900 crore, had crashed while practicing a tactical operation along with another C-130J Super Hercules aircraft after taking off from Agra on March 28.

All the crew on board - four officers and one Warrant Officer - lost their lives in the mishap.

The IAF court of inquiry under an officer of the rank of Air commodore (equivalent to a Brigadier in Army) is in the final stages and the report will be soon submitted to the defence ministry, IAF spokesperson Group Captain Gerard Galway said.

India recently inducted six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft which were bought from the US at a cost of around Rs 6,000 crore ($1 billion) four years ago.

The inquiry was held back for some time in the early stages as the black box of the aircraft had suffered damage and had to be sent to the original equipment manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corporation's facility in the US.

The home base of the 77 squadron 'Veiled Vipers' operating the ill-fated aircraft is Hindan in Ghaziabad near here.

The aircraft were recently landed at Ladakh's Daulat Beg Oldie air field near the Sino-India border and have helped in boosting IAF's capability to airlift troops closer to the border in times of emergency.

IAF has also placed orders for another six such aircraft, which are planned to be deployed in Panagarh, West Bengal, near the headquarters of Indian Army's 17 Strike Corp being raised to counter the threat along the border with China.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 19 Jul 2014 08:54

Proposal to get 56 transport planes cleared: Jaitley

New Delhi: A proposal to procure 56 transport aircraft as replacement for AVRO aircraft through ‘Buy & Make’ route has been accorded approval by the Defence Acquisition Council, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told the Lok Sabha today.

Forty of these aircraft will be manufactured in India by an Indian production agency from the private sector and the agency will be chosen by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), he said in reply to a question.

The Council had taken the decision in a meeting on 23 July 2012.

The bid submission date has been extended up to 28 August this year, he said.

In another reply, he said the government is aware of Chinese participation in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in development projects like ports as well as in anti-piracy operations and deep sea mining.

Government keeps a constant watch on all developments concerning national security and economic interests and takes necessary measures to safeguard them, in accordance with the prevailing security situation and strategic considerations, he said.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 19 Jul 2014 20:11

Glad the gov is finally waking up to the fact that PSUs shouldn't hold a monopoly over the defense sector, especially aerospace.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 21 Jul 2014 04:46

This is welcome news.However,there were some doubts expressed earlier about the cost of investment as against the numbers mentioned.100 aircraft guaranteed would be far better.What we are most like to see is a foreign design/partner with local assemble/building over here.

Leo.Davidson · Post by **Leo.Davidson** » 21 Jul 2014 04:56

RoyG wrote:Glad the gov is finally waking up to the fact that PSUs shouldn't hold a monopoly over the defense sector, especially aerospace.

I second your opinion. It's high time, someone stood up to these gluttons and said enough is enough. There is no accountability, no responsibility, no consequences, nothing.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 21 Jul 2014 16:53

Philip wrote:This is welcome news.However,there were some doubts expressed earlier about the cost of investment as against the numbers mentioned.100 aircraft guaranteed would be far better.What we are most like to see is a foreign design/partner with local assemble/building over here.

They could consider letting the same firm that builds the Avro replacement build the civil 70 seater that is being planned. Might help in the ROI calculations.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 21 Jul 2014 18:56

AJ mentioned that the expectation is that the player would move from Def to commercial production.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 21 Jul 2014 20:58

merlin wrote:
Philip wrote:This is welcome news.However,there were some doubts expressed earlier about the cost of investment as against the numbers mentioned.100 aircraft guaranteed would be far better.What we are most like to see is a foreign design/partner with local assemble/building over here.
They could consider letting the same firm that builds the Avro replacement build the civil 70 seater that is being planned. Might help in the ROI calculations.

The military transport will be a foreign design so its very likely that the company that build it might part foreign owned(49% FDI), but the civil aircraft will be ingeniously designed. I don't think letting a part foreign owned company build out homegrown aircraft is a very good idea.

Leo.Davidson · Post by **Leo.Davidson** » 21 Jul 2014 22:43

Getting a foreign company to build our transport aircraft in our country makes the most sense. It creates the knowledge base and labour force necessary for nurturing an aerospace company.

RKumar · Post by **RKumar** » 21 Jul 2014 23:12

Leo.Davidson wrote:Getting a foreign company to build our transport aircraft in our country makes the most sense. It creates the knowledge base and labour force necessary for nurturing an aerospace company.

partha · Post by **partha** » 21 Jul 2014 23:19

Why rofl? It may not make most sense but it is definitely better than importing the aircraft as is from a foreign country.

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 22 Jul 2014 03:20

abhik wrote: The military transport will be a foreign design so its very likely that the company that build it might part foreign owned(49% FDI), but the civil aircraft will be ingeniously designed. I don't think letting a part foreign owned company build out homegrown aircraft is a very good idea.

Of course its not a good idea but we may have no option. India will need hundreds of civilian feeder aircraft in the next 10-15 years, maybe sooner under a govt like Modi's that is aggressive. Hoping that the "RTA" will be designed, tested, certified and ready for passenger service within the next 15 years is unrealistic in the current setup. If we wait for it to arrive, we might eventually be forced to buy foreign aircraft in the hundreds off the shelf like we did the Hawk and Pilatus. Far better to get a proven design and use it to build up our capabilities and manpower in the non-PSU space.

partha · Post by **partha** » 22 Jul 2014 06:43

abhik wrote: The military transport will be a foreign design so its very likely that the company that build it might part foreign owned(49% FDI), but the civil aircraft will be ingeniously designed. I don't think letting a part foreign owned company build out homegrown aircraft is a very good idea.

Saar, if I understand the report correctly, it will not be built through 49% FDI route. It is through buy and make. Just like Su30 MKI but instead of HAL, a private Indian company will make the planes. So how is it not a good idea? As in, if we are ok with Su30 MKI buy and make, what problems do we have with transport plane buy and make? Of course, best idea is to make it in India itself from concept to design to manufacture but we don't yet have that capability. Now, this is a good test for Indian private sector which is eager to get into aerospace. Whether they are able to do a better job than HAL remains to be seen.

As far as 49% FDI is concerned, I doubt whether any foreign company will be interested in it for sophisticated products like planes. Why will they transfer all the technical know how and invest in factories if they don't have management control? Will HAL make a 49% deal with some other country's company and transfer all LCA know how and cede control over the JV to the other company after having painstakingly developed the jet for 20 years?

Leo.Davidson · Post by **Leo.Davidson** » 22 Jul 2014 06:57

I will be ROFL'ing when we hear that the IL-214 will be manufactured from knock-down kits at HAL (50+ years in the business and still can't get act together). It makes better sense to dump the UCA+HAL black hole and many more similar dumb ventures and get the private sector in.
Get the foreign collaborator to manufacture the final product in INDIA, create minor/major repair/overhaul facilities at the same site; And you've got a WINNER!!!

Now is the time to challenge HAL, rise or get razed.