Overview of 13th Edition of Aero India 2021

The 13th Edition of the Biennial Military Exercise – ‘Aero India 2021: A Big Step Towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ took place at the Yelahanka Air Force Base, Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 3-5, 2021. It was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

• The event was organized by the Defence Ministry of India, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force, Department of Space & Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
• Aero India 2021 was centered on the theme ‘Conceive, Indigenize, Collaborate’
• It is the World’s 1st ever Hybrid Aero and Defence Exhibition (show with both physical and virtual elements)
• It is Asia’s Largest defence and aerospace exhibition.
• Around 601 Exhibitors – 523 Indian & 78 Foreign & 14 Countries participated in the Aero India 2021.

Rajnath Singh releases Export Compendium of DRDO & other documents:

During the Inaugural event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released DRDO’s Export Compendium.

• The Export Compendium consists of a list of Defence Systems & Platforms which can be exported to Friendly Countries of India.
• It is aimed at making India a major market in the Global Defence Market.

i.He also released the revised Design, Development & Production of Military Airborne Stores (DDPMAS) documents.  DDPMAS has been developed by the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC).

• DDPMAS is followed by the Aeronautics industry for design, development, production & certification of airborne systems.
• The revised DDPMAS gives importance to Atma Nirbhar Bharat for attaining self-reliance and Liberal certification procedures.
• It will enable Local MSMEs, Research & Development Establishments & Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to develop and deliver world class products to Indian Defence Services.

ii.Rajnath Singh also released a Stamp & a book on journey of Aeronautical Research & Development Board (AR & DB) to commemorate its golden jubilee in Aeronautics.

• AR & DB was constituted by DRDO in 1971 to promote research and enable India to attain self-reliance in Aeronautics.
• The book highlights the journey of the AR & DB since its formation.

iii.He also released DRDO Monograph ‘Radiance in Skies – The Tejas Saga’, The monograph authored by Air Marshal P Rajkumar (Retd) & BR Srikanth highlights journey of DRDO’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

INR 48, 000 Crore Contract for 83 LCA Tejas handed over to HAL:

During the inaugural event, INR 48, 000 Crore Contract for manufacturing of 83 LCA Tejas was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

i.In January, 2021, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the procurement of 83 LCA Tejas  – 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Aircrafts & 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer Aircrafts at a cost of INR 45, 696 crore.

• It also included Design & Development and Infrastructure sanctions worth INR 1, 202 Crores.
• It is the largest ever Defence Contract for Indigenous manufacture till date in India.
• The delivery of 83 Aircraft is expected to be completed in 8 years. On February 4, 2021 Rajnath Singh inaugurated HAL 2nd Exclusive Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas Fighter Jets Production Plant at Doddanekundi, Bangalore, Karnataka to speeden up the delivery.
• Around 500 Indian Companies including MSME in Design and Manufacturing sectors will be working with HAL in this deal.
• Rajnath Singh stated that India is now self-reliant in most of the Military Fighter Aircraft Contemporary technologies due to the Tejas Programme.
• The cost of 1 LCA Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Jet is INR 309 Crore & INR 280 Crore for the trainer version.

ii.The induction of LCA Tejas will greatly increase the operational capabilities & Strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

iii.LCA Tejas Mk-1A

• It is a 4+ (Four and Half) Generation Fighter Aircraft designed, developed and manufactured by HAL.
• It is equipped with features like Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite & Air to Air Refuelling (AAR).
• It is also the first ‘Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)’ category procurement of combat aircrafts with indigenous content of 50% which will reach 60% before the completion of programme.

HAL delivers 5 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH Mk-III) to Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard:

HAL delivered 3 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III to Indian Navy & 2 ALHs to Indian Coast Guard (ICG) during the event.  The 5 ALH MK-III are part of the 16 ALHs contract.

• The ALHs will increase the Navy & Coast Guard’s capabilities to improve maritime security and surveillance for preventing Terror attacks.
• It is equipped with a HAL’s modern glass cockpit – ‘Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS)’ & powerful Shakti engine (Safran Ardiden 1H1).
• The ALHs were handed over by R Madhavan, Managing Director (MD) of HAL to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh & Director General of Coast Guard, K Natarajan.

Other components of the contract:

The Contract also involves 19 major systems with existing ALH MK-III such as Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance (TCAS-I), Automatic Deployable Emergency Locator Transmitter (ADELT), Automatic Identification System (AIS), Surveillance Radar System, 12.7 mm Gun system and others.

LUH made by HAL receives Initial Operational Clearance (IOC):

During the Handover ceremony, R Madhavan, MD of HAL stated that Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) made by HAL received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) of the Indian Army.

• The LUH is indigenously designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre of HAL
• It will replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah/Chetak helicopters which are being used by the Indian Armed Services.

Conclaves & Meetings:

IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave:

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers’ Conclave took place on the sidelines of Aero India 2021.

• The Broad theme of the conclave was ‘Enhanced Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Indian Ocean’.
• Defence Minister, Ambassadors, High Commissioners & officials from 26 (out of 28) IOR Countries participated in the conclave.

Objective 

• To promote dialogue in an institutional, economic and cooperative environment for encouraging peace, stability and prosperity in the IOR.

Key Points from the Conclave:

Rajnath Singh stated that the IOR conclave must focus on security, commerce, connectivity, fight against terrorism & inter cultural exchanges.

About SAGAR

• He stated that SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) is the theme of Indian Ocean Policy.
• Deepening economic and security cooperation in the littorals, increasing capacity to safeguard land and maritime territories, Blue Economy, and promotion of collective action for dealing with threats like natural disasters, piracy, terrorism & Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as the inter-related elements of SAGAR.
• He stated that the challenges faced in IOR such as Piracy, smuggling of drugs, people and arms, Humanitarian and disaster relief, and Search & Rescue (SAR) Can be tackled through maritime cooperation.

Steps taken by India in IOR:

Rajnath stated that India is in the process of developing an overall Maritime Domain Awareness picture in the IOR, which resulted in signing of a Technical Agreement for sharing of ‘White Shipping Information’.

• He also highlighted steps like Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Non-combatant Evacuation (NEO) and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations & India’s efforts to help neighbouring countries during cyclones in Mozambique and Madagascar.
• Operation Sagar-II in which around 300 Metric Tons of Humanitarian Aid was delivered to 4 nations in the IOR.

Prime Minister’s 5 ‘S’ Vision:

During the event, Rajnath Singh highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 5 ‘S’ Vision to tackle Global Challenges

• Samman (Respect)
• Samvaad (Dialogue)
• Sahyog (Cooperation)
• Shanti (Peace)
• Samriddhi (Prosperity)

The conclave was followed by 2 seminars

• The First Seminar was conducted by Indian Navy and Naval Maritime Foundation
• The Second Seminar was organised by Indian Coast Guard/Bharat Shakti/Invest India/Indian Defence Shipyards and Industry.
• The Two seminars were organized to realise the aim of transforming IOR into a region of ‘Peace, Progress and Prosperity’.

Indian Air Force conducts Global Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave:

On the sidelines of the Aero India Show 2021, Indian Air Force (IAF) hosted a 2 day Global Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave.

• The theme of discussion of the Conclave were ‘Leveraging Aerospace Power for Security and Stability’, ‘Disruptive Technologies and Innovations’, ‘Air Power in the Indo-Pacific Region’ & ‘Air Power and Aerospace Strategy’.
• The event was organised in a hybrid format and was attended by representatives from 50 countries from regions across the world like Americas, Europe, Middle East, West Asia, Central Asian Republics, South East Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean region.
• Chiefs/Commanders of Air Forces of 28 countries took part in the conclave.

i.The main objective of the platform is to serve as a platform for exchange of ideas and practices in the fields of aerospace domain.

ii.The participants also discussed issues like aerospace strategy, emerging technologies which impact battle space & issues related to security and stability of Global Commons.

DRDO organizes International Seminar:

DRDO organized an International Seminar on the theme of ‘Energising R&D Capabilities Towards Atmanirbhar Bharat’

•  The seminar focussed on existing and new initiatives needed to make the Indian Industry ‘Self-Reliant’ in Defence Systems.

Seminar conducted by Indian Navy:

During Aero India 2021, The Indian Navy conducted a seminar on ‘Building Collective Maritime Competence towards Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.

• It was attended by Defence Ministers/Service Chiefs/Delegations Diplomats from Friendly Foreign Countries, academic and various missions.
• The main objective of the seminar is to build collective maritime capacity in the IOR.
• To ensure collective growth and prosperity of India and the countries in IOR for keeping the neighbourhood safe and secure.

IAF Chief meets Sudanese Commander of Air Force:

On the sidelines of the Aero Show, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria held meetings with General Issameldin Saeid Koko Abdalrrahman, Commander of Air Force, Sudan.

i.During the meeting, both sides agreed to increase bilateral cooperation and training mechanisms between the two Air Forces.

During the discussions, India appreciated Sudan’s recent initiatives such as

• Sudan’s Removal from the United States List of State Sponsors of Terrorism in November, 2020.
• Signing of ‘Abraham Accords’ with Israel to normalize the ties with the country. Sudan was the 3rd country after UAE & Bahrain to normalise ties with Israel.

Start-up Manthan 2021:

‘Start-up Manthan’ was organised by Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

• The Main objective of the Start-up Manthan is to promote Innovation in Domestic Defence Industry.
• The event provides an opportunity for start-ups to showcase their capabilities, products & services to targeted audiences.

i.During the event, Rajnath Singh stated that

• 60 start-ups under Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) were given grants of upto INR 1.5 Crore.
• Around 1, 200 start-ups & Innovators participated in DISC.
• During the Aero India Show 2021, 45 MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) received orders worth INR 203 Crores.
• Around 10 iDEX start-ups have developed products worth INR 100 Crore which were displayed in Aero India 2021.
• He highlighted the iDEX4Fauji initiative, which is serving as a platform for supporting innovation identified by Indian Soldiers and service personnel.

Portals:

‘HAVAI’ e-Portal launched by IAF & HAL

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal, RKS Bhadauria launched the ‘HAVAI’ (HAL-Vayusena Inventory) e-Portal. The portal is operationalised by IAF & HAL as part of Inter-Organisational Information Sharing System (IOIS) under ‘Digital India’ initiative.

i.The portal would serve as a platform for sharing data on the requirements, project status and supply needs of both organizations with each other.

ii.It will also ensure Transparency & Swiftness in the processes done by HAL for IAF.

The other functions of the Portal would be to

• Perform long-term material planning & reduce the repair and also to overhaul the cycle time.
• Reduce the time needed for finalization of tasking and budgetary quotation processes.
• Ensure a smooth, safe and secure method of data transfer between the two organisations.
• To enhance optimization of task & increasing efficiency in productivity and availability of spares to IAF.
• To Notify repair milestones of HAL

iii.The e-portal will also lead to increased serviceability of IAF weapon systems.

Inauguration of Upgraded Naval Environmental Test Facility (NETF):

In February, 2021, Vice Admiral MS Pawr, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff inaugurated the upgraded Naval Environmental Test Facility (NETF), Chief Quality Assurance Establishment (Warship Equipment) situated in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

i.The testing lab will be used for testing equipment for turbulence faced by ships and submarines at higher states.

ii.NETF will be a major boost to realisation of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ in the Defence Sector.

iii.NETF consists of

• 1st of its kind, indigenously developed Ship Motion Test Platform (SMTP). It has been developed to meet qualification requirements for ship motion in Extreme marine conditions up to Sea State 7.
• It contains other facilities like High Ramp Rate Thermal Cycling Chamber for climatic testing, Mould Growth Test Chamber & Dust/Salt/Tilt/Drop/Immersion test facilities for military equipment.
• The test facilities at NETF, Bengaluru can be utilized by Defence and Aerospace industry which includes MSMEs & Start Up firms.

Targets:

During the Aero India Show 2021, India has set various targets. Some major ones are

• To bring down Defence Equipment Import Bill by $2 billion by 2022
• To Achieve USD 25 Billion in Defence Production & USD 5 Billion Exports by 2025
• Aero components sector expected to grow to INR 60,000 crores by 2024
• India to spend USD 130 billion on Defence modernisation by boosting Indigenization

India to bring down defence equipment import bill by $2 billion by 2022

India has stated that it is planning to bring down defence equipment import bill by USD 2 billion before 2022

• Rajnath Singh stated that India is aiming to bring down its Defence Equipment Import bill by at least ~ USD 2 Billion by 2022.
• As part of boosting Domestic Manufacturers, Indian Companies were awarded contracts worth USD 37 Billion during the period 2016-19.
• He also stated that during 2015-20, Defence Exports in India grew from INR 2, 000 Crore to INR 9, 000 Crore.

ii.Other steps taken by India to achieve the ambitious Atmanirbhar Bharat are

• Raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Defence from 49% to 74%.
• India has also released a list of 101 items which it will not import from foreign countries.

iii.According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) annual report, India is the world’s 2nd Largest arms importer during the 2015-19 period after Saudi Arabia.

India Aims to Achieve USD 25 Billion in Defence Production, USD 5 Billion Exports by 2025

Rajnath Singh stated that India is aiming to achieve Domestic Defence Production worth USD 25 Billion & to create an Export Market in India worth USD 5 Billion by 2025.

• Aerospace sector will play a major role in achieving the targets.

Other Targets:

i.The Defence Minister also stated that the Aero Components Sector in India is expected to double to INR 60, 000 Crore from INR 30, 000 Crore by 2024.

ii.India has set a target to achieve

• INR 1, 75, 000 Crore in Defence Manufacturing which includes an export of INR 35, 000 Crore in Aerospace & Defence goods and services by 2024 to achieve ‘self-reliance’ & export market.

iii.India is also planning to spend USD 130 Billion on Defence Modernisation in the next 7-8 years with focus on domestic manufacturing.

Agreements & Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs):

During the Aero India Show 2021, Signing of 128 MoUs, 19 ToT (Transfer of Technology), 4 Handing Overs, 18 Product Launches & 32 Major Announcements, totally 201 notable events took place.

DRDO hands Licensing Agreements for ToT for 14 DRDO Developed technologies:

During the event, DRDO handed over Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) for 14 DRDO developed technologies to 20 Industries.

• The Technologies are from the area of electronics, laser technology, armament, life sciences, materials science, combat vehicles, naval systems, aeronautics, sensors and others.
• Some product technologies transferred by DRDO to Industries Are Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR), Inertial Navigation System for Ship Application (INS-SA), Long Range Optical Target Locator (OTL 1500), Hand Held Through Wall Imaging Radar (HH-TWIR) & Commander TI (Thermal Imager) Sight for T-72 Tanks.
• NMRL-Fuel Cell based Air Independent Propulsion Technology (NMFCAIP) for Naval Submarines & Multi Agent Robotic System (MARS).
• It also included armament systems related to defence, they are 155 mm X 52 Cal Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Mechanical MineLayer-Self Propelled (MML-SP) & Prachand Anti-Tank Munition.

MoU between DRDO & HAL:

An MoU was signed between DRDO & HAL for cooperation & finalization of ToTs of Uttam radar for new Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) configuration and new generation Radar Warning Receiver (RWR-NG).

MoU & Letter of Intent between HAL & Rolls-Royce:

i.HAL & Rolls-Royce have agreed to enhance their partnerships for collaboration in 2 major areas, which are

• Expanding supply chain for civil and defence aerospace
• To Establish Authorised Maintenance Centre for Adour Mk871 engines to support Rolls-Royce’s International military customers.

ii.An MoU was signed between Rolls-Royce and HAL to establish an Authorized Maintenance Centre for Adour Mk871 at HAL.

• It will help Rolls Royce to meet and support its International military customers & operators.
• HAL has an experience of 30 years in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) of Adour Engines in India.

iii.A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed by the 2 entities to manufacture Adour Mk871 Engine parts in India.

• Recently, Rolls-Royce awarded the contract for supplying forging (including shrouds, cases and seals) for its Trent family of engines and for Pearl 15 engines to HAL.
• The parts would be manufactured at HAL’s Foundry and Forge Division in Bengaluru.

iv.The agreements will help in enhancing Roll-Royce’s regional service footprint & help India to establish itself as a hub for defence sourcing, assembly and MRO services.

HAL’s Order Books expected to cross INR 1 Lakh Crore in 2022:

R Madhavan, CMD of HAL stated that HAL’s purchase order (list of orders for production) is expected to cross INR 1 Lakh Crore mark in 2022.

Lockheed Martin signs MoU with HAL:

Lockheed Martin, an American Aerospace Company & Defence Major signed an MoU for exploring Industrial Opportunities in India’s Aerospace Sector.

• The partnership will work towards addressing the domestic & international market needs in the aerospace and defence sector.

BEL signs seperate MoUs with L&T and Grene Robotics Pvt Ltd:

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed 2 separate MoUs with Grene Robotics Pvt Ltd and L&T Limited.

BEL’s MoU with Grene Robotics Pvt Ltd:

• As part of the agreement, both entities will ensure cooperation in the development of Autonomous Manpads Data Link System (AMDLS).
•  Through the agreement, both entities will also try to utilize various policy initiatives introduced by the Government such as Make in India.
• The agreement was signed by BEL Director (R&D), Rajasekharan MV on behalf of BEL & Grene Robotics Director (Defence) Wing Commander MVN Sai on behalf of the company.

BEL’s MoU with L&T:

The MoU aims for continuation of cooperation in addressing the needs of the domestic and export markets for defence products and systems.

• The two entities aim to meet domestic needs & increasing export prospects through Strategic alignment, increasing indigenisation content & using high-end and advanced technologies.
• The MoU was signed by BEL’s Director (Marketing), Anandi Ramalingam & Arun Ramchandani, Executive Vice President (Defence & Aerospace) of L&T.

Rafael, BDL sign MoU to jointly induct ‘SHADE’ Anti-Torpedo Defence System:

Rafael Advanced Defense System (Israel) & Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed an MoU for joint induction of Anti-Torpedo Defence System called ‘SHADE’ for Indian Navy.

• SHADE is the 1st system in the world to use soft kill and hard kill decoys for defence against Modern Torpedoes.
• SHADE is a torpedo defence suite for submarines which will help protect them from Torpedoes which rely on sonar signals.
• The MoU was signed by Eli Hefets, Rafael’s Corporate Regional Director for India & N P Diwakar, Director (Technical), BDL.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd releases new variant of SPICE 250:

During the event Rafael Advanced Defense Systems ltd released a new version of SPICE 250 air-to-surface munition called ‘SPICE 250 ER (Extended Range)’.

• A new Integrated Turbojet Engine has been added to SPICE 250 ER which has increased its range to 150 Kms.
• SPICE 250 ER is the smallest variant of the SPICE Family which includes SPICE 250, SPICE 1000 & SPICE 2000 Guidance Kits.
• It is an autonomous, air-to-surface weapon system which strikes targets with accuracy and at high attack volumes.
• The SPICE weapon is based on autonomous electro-optic Scene-Matching Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms.

Defence Ministry signs INR 1000 Crore contract with BEL:

Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a INR 1000 Crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of Software Defined Radio Tactical (SDR-Tac).

• SDR-Tac was designed and developed by Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) of DRDO with assistance from Domestic agencies & industry such as Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE), BEL, Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR) & Indian Navy.
• SDR-Tac is expected to bring Strategic Depth to the Indian Armed Forces.

SDR-Tac:

• SDR-Tac is a four Channel Multi-mode, Multi-Band, 19” Rack mountable, shipborne Software Defined Radio System.
• It will serve the purpose of ship to ship, ship to shore and ship to air voice and data communication for network-centric operations.

HAL, GE Aviation Sign Contract worth INR 100 Crore for supply of forgings:

HAL & GE Aviation (subsidiary of General Electric) signed a contract worth INR 100 Crore for development & supply of ring forgings needed for Aviation military and Commercial engine programs.

• The ring forgings will be manufactured at HAL’s newly established ring rolling facility at HAL’s Foundry and Forge Division in Bengaluru.
• The agreement is for a period of 5 years and involves supply of both steel and nickel alloy forgings for shrouds, cases, rings and seals.

HAL signs MoU with MIDHANI:

HAL signed a MoU with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for development and production of composite raw materials.

• It is the first time that an MoU has been signed for composite raw materials.
• The agreement was signed by R Madhavan, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL & S K Jha, Chairman and Managing Director at MIDHANI.
• Composite raw materials are used in the form of prepregs (composite material made from “pre-impregnated” fibers and a partially cured polymer matrix) in platforms like LCA, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) & Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). At present they are being imported.

Airbus and GMR Group sign MoU:

Airbus, an Aerospace and Defence Company has signed MoU with GMR Group for exploring collaboration opportunities in aviation services, technologies and Innovation.

• They will also explore other areas for cooperation including maintenance, components, training, digital and airport services.
• They will also explore a broad scope of aviation services for both commercial and military aircraft.

Karnataka signs MoUs with 35 Aerospace and Defence Companies:

The state of Karnataka has signed MoUs with 34 Aerospace and Defence Companies as part of its effort to make Karnataka as the aerospace hub for Asia.

• The agreements are worth INR 2, 464 Crore and will generate 6, 462 Direct Employment Opportunities.
• Some of the Signatory companies have agreed to invest in the sector such as Abhyuday Bharat Mega Defense Cluster (INR 1, 000 Crore), Gopalan Aerospace Pvt Ltd (INR 438 Crore), Alpha Design Technology and Tesbl Aerospace Corporation (INR 250 Crore).
• Karnataka accounts for 65% of Defence and Aerospace exports from India.

UPEIDA signs 17 MoUs in Aero India:

Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) which set up a pavilion at the Aero India Show 2021 signed 17 MoUs attracting around INR 5, 000 Crore Investments to the ongoing UP Defence Corridor Project.

• The places where land has been acquired for the Defence Corridor Project are Jhansi (94%), Chitrkoot (96%), Aligarh (92%) & Kanpur (81%).
• Totally, 13 Private companies signed the MoUs with an investment intent of INR 4, 501 Crore and are expected to generate 9, 000 Direct jobs.
• Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, HAL, Naini Aerospace Ltd and BEML Ltd have signed MoUs with UPEIDA.

BEML signs MoUs with 11 entities at Aero India 2021:

BEML signed MoUs with 11 organizations to explore and enhance the business in Defence & Aerospace Sector.

They are:

HAL enters into an agreement with Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd, Israel:

HAL has entered into an Agreement with Elbit Systems Electro-Optic Elop Ltd, Israel for supply of Digital Overhead Head-Up Display Systems (DOHS).

Initially, the DOHS will be manufactured at HAL’s existing facility at Korwa, Uttar Pradesh.

• Together, both entities will upgrade their technological base & acquire high-end technology on Digital Overhead HUD System which are used in Transport Aircrafts.
• Until now, around 500 HUDs have been supplied to Indian platforms like Su-30 MKI, Jaguar & MiG-27M upgrade.

President of India address Valedictory Function of Aero India-21:

President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the Valedictory Function of Aero India 2021.