indian tieup with MBDA, Dhruv…

(see third last para)
Looks like APAR + aster15 or 30 for P17 frigates under construction. and *cough cough* that beauty called Meteor
later…heh heh.

http://news.awse.com/18-Jun-2003/Business/20371.htm

LE BOURGET – Leading European defence equipment and missile manufacturers are focussing on India with their future design, development and production plans. The growing divide between the EU and the US, marked by the absence of the heads of US majors at the Paris Air Show, has tilted the balance in favour of India.

EADS group firm MBDA has joined hands with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) to develop and manufacture all varieties of missile systems, including anti-tank, surface-to-air and air-to-air missile. “We are also willing to invest in BDL or form a JV company for these missile systems. Besides catering to the demand in India, we will also use it as a base to cater to other overseas markets,” MBDA CEO Marwan Lahoud said.

This is the company”s first strategic venture outside Europe. “We have already received orders from the Indian Navy for an air defence system to be installed on their P17 ships that are under development in Mumbai.” It will develop air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles for the IAF and the Indian Army.

In addition, Russian military aerospace major Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company has also joined hands with India to partially finance and participate in the development of a next-generation fighter aircraft. The project is still in an early stage.

India and Russia have historically been partners in defence procurement.

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Dhruv light twin delights in debut (paris air show)
http://www.ainonline.com/Publications/paris/paris_03/pd1dhruvpg3.html

by Brian Walters

India’s advanced light helicopter (ALH), now named Dhruv, has taken its place among the products of leading rotary-winged aircraft manufacturers with an impressive international debut display here at the Paris Air Show.

The twin-engine multimission and multirole 5.5 ton helicopter produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) is proving to be an agile performer with a low noise level. It may be seen here in the static display and in the air, while HAL is to be found in Hall 4 Stand F7.

Development of the ALH began as long ago as 1984, with some technical inputs from Germany’s MBB, which was contracted to supply design, development and production assistance. The Turbomeca TM 333-2B with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) initially powered the aircraft but it was later decided to offer the LHTEC CTS-800-4N as an alternative.

However, in 1998 a U.S. trade embargo was imposed following India’s refusal to sign the nuclear test ban treaty. This obliged cancellation of an order for 30 CTS engines and led to the decision to rely entirely upon the French-built TM 333. Meanwhile MBB’s involvement with the program ended and development became further protracted.

Earlier program delays had led to the first flight taking place as late as August 1992, although development continued at a relatively slow pace, with the result that production models began to enter service only two years ago. Nevertheless, the development time had been usefully spent with the result that both the navalized Dhruv fitted with a retractable tricycle undercarriage and the army variant equipped with skids had been cleared for operation from ships and to carry a variety of weapons respectively.

Civil operators can choose whichever type of landing gear they prefer, the Dhruv being marketed for search and rescue, VIP transport, offshore operations, emergency medical services and much else besides. In standard configuration, the Dhruv can carry 12 passengers in addition to the crew of two but up to 14 seats can be fitted for high-density roles.

To support the multirole concept, large clamshell rear doors ease access for stretchers or other bulky loads, while the two main cabin door openings can be configured to fit either two large sliding doors or four hinged doors.

Having been designed to operate with units of the Indian Army that are often deployed to mountainous regions, the Dhruv has an excellent hover ceiling performance with both engines operative and with various combinations of power settings, bleed air heating, pressure altitude, temperature and gross weights.

Moreover there are adequate safety margins in the event of single engine failure during takeoff, landing or other operations close to the ground. Also, from the outset the Dhruv has been designed to carry underslung bulky loads to inaccessible locations.

As the aircraft was designed for defense applications initially, survivability has been a high priority. Thus, low radar, thermal and acoustic signatures have been a design objective, while extensive use of composites provides optimum crashworthiness and battle damage tolerance, as well as easing repair.

The two TM 333 2B2 engines are widely spaced to reduce the possibility of one damaged engine infecting the other but if the Dhruv cannot return to base, crashworthy seats will protect the crew. The helicopter is also said to be able to ditch and float in water up to sea state 5/6, although an emergency floatation system is provided.