BENGALURU: In a first, defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), on Wednesday said it has signed a pact with Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (IAI) and Dynamatic Technologies Limited (DTL) for marketing, manufacturing and selling IAI’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones in India.
According to a release issued by the firm, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will cover marketing, manufacturing and selling IAI drones to Indian potential customers such as the defence forces, paramilitary forces and central armed police.
HAL as a long-time partner of IAI is involved in the depot-level maintenance of all the MALE and Short Range class of UAVs supplied by IAI to the Indian defence forces since 2004.
“Taking the HAL-IAI collaboration one step ahead, under the scope of this MoU, this partnership would be the first in the country to manufacture IAI designed UAVs in India like Short Range Tactical class having long endurance,” ” the press note read.
Stating that this collaboration will enhance technology sharing and business partnership between India and Israel, HAL CMD R Madhavan said: “This will provide an 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.”
IAI president and CEO Nimrod Sheffer said that the firm was delighted to sign the strategic agreement with HAL and DTL.
“India is an important strategic market for UAVs and I am confident of IAI’s extensive experience and the technological capabilities of HAL and DTL will lead to significant advancements in the field,” he said.
UAVs are playing a significant role in wars and other tactical missions such as intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. In the coming years, the Indian defence forces are likely to induct a large number of UAVs to meet such requirements.
And HAL, the release reads, has the best capability and infrastructure available in India to manufacture world-class and battle-proven UAVs of IAI. “IAI as design authority, HAL as principal contractor and DTL as a principal subcontractor will complement each other to provide best in class ‘Make-in-India’ UAVs to the defence forces,” the release added.
According to a release issued by the firm, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will cover marketing, manufacturing and selling IAI drones to Indian potential customers such as the defence forces, paramilitary forces and central armed police.
HAL as a long-time partner of IAI is involved in the depot-level maintenance of all the MALE and Short Range class of UAVs supplied by IAI to the Indian defence forces since 2004.
“Taking the HAL-IAI collaboration one step ahead, under the scope of this MoU, this partnership would be the first in the country to manufacture IAI designed UAVs in India like Short Range Tactical class having long endurance,” ” the press note read.
Stating that this collaboration will enhance technology sharing and business partnership between India and Israel, HAL CMD R Madhavan said: “This will provide an 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.”
IAI president and CEO Nimrod Sheffer said that the firm was delighted to sign the strategic agreement with HAL and DTL.
“India is an important strategic market for UAVs and I am confident of IAI’s extensive experience and the technological capabilities of HAL and DTL will lead to significant advancements in the field,” he said.
UAVs are playing a significant role in wars and other tactical missions such as intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. In the coming years, the Indian defence forces are likely to induct a large number of UAVs to meet such requirements.
And HAL, the release reads, has the best capability and infrastructure available in India to manufacture world-class and battle-proven UAVs of IAI. “IAI as design authority, HAL as principal contractor and DTL as a principal subcontractor will complement each other to provide best in class ‘Make-in-India’ UAVs to the defence forces,” the release added.
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