HAL Inks Deals With IAI and Elbit

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently announced that it had concluded a “very big order” for airframe structures from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to make aircraft and helicopter simulators. While precise details were not offered, PTI reports that the deals are “expected to run into millions of dollars.”

HAL CEO Ashok K Baweja also held talks with top Boeing officials attending Franborough on a major program for outsourcing aircraft structural components for Boeing’s present and future programs.”A roadmap of various processes is being finalised,” Banerjee said. HA currently makes aircraft doors for both Boeing and Airbus, and also makes kits to convert 737 passenger aircraft into freighters.

See DID’s February 2005 article re: aerospace outsourcing to India for more general background on the larger trends.

Sweden Modernizing C-130 – Tp84 Avionics

Swedish C-130s/Tp84s

Sweden’s C-130 Hercules aircraft are known as Tp84s over there, and they are currently undergoing an avionics modernization program. Their C-130 AMP will standardize the Swedish C-130 fleet with the installation of a fully integrated, night-vision-goggle compatible digital glass cockpit (i.e. computer screens replace many dials), and a new avionics suite consisting of digital displays and a flight management system from the 737 commercial airliner, both of which provide navigation, safety and communication improvements to meet Global Air Traffic Management requirements. Overall, C-130 AMP program brings the Tp84s up to the USAF’s C-130H2 standard, except that the Swedes will retain their existing defensive systems. The modernization comes on the eve of a greater focus on long-range mobility as Sweden prepares to lead the EU’s Nordic battlegroup.

A query to Boeing, however, revealed that a recent contract announcement for Sweden’s Tp84s had been misreported in several venues…