HAL, Saab sign MoU for transfer of technology

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) had a busy day on Friday, with three major memorandums of understanding (MoUs) or contracts being signed.

The largest of the contracts was between the avionics division of HAL and the South African subsidiary of the Swedish defence firm Saab for transfer of technology. The contract is worth $8.5 million, which will see the transfer of technology for in-country maintenance of Saab’s Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS), which is the electronic warfare self-protection system for HAL’s advanced light helicopter Dhruv. HAL Hyderabad has a Saab-approved IDAS repair facility.

IAI renews contract

Meanwhile, the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) renewed their contract with HAL for further supply of Boeing 737 Main Deck Cargo Door.

HAL had already supplied 30 cargo doors to the IAI.

And finally, HAL signed an MoU with the Central Public Works Department for construction of infrastructure in the greenfield helicopter facility at Biderehalla Kaval in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district.

The foundation stone for the 615-acre facility, which will manufacture a wide range of helicopters of 3-tonne to 12-tonne class, was laid in January 2016.