Panaji : Clearance of the Rs.11,930 crore Airbus-TATA consortium bid to manufacture 56 transport aircraft for the IAF and of a Russian firm’s bid to build 200 advanced military helicopters will kick-start the aero industry ecosystem in India, especially for aviation parts, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday.
Parrikar, who was speaking to reporters at a press conference at BJP’s state headquarters here, also said there was a shortage of around 500 helicopters across the Indian military wings.
“From this, aero ecosystem, especially which relates to manufacture of aviation parts will get a boost… It will provide a kick-start to the private aviation industry,” the minister said.
He also said that 14 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) transport planes to be purchased from Airbus-Tata would be in fly-away condition while the remaining 42 would be manufactured in India.
“For them, 50 percent (or) more parts will be indigenous,” Parrikar said, adding that the proportion of indigenous parts would go above 50 percent in time.
Parrikar also said that considering the shortfall of as many as 500 helicopters in the Indian Army and the IAF, there would be no compromise on the manufacture of Dhruv helicopters by the defence ministry-operated aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bengaluru.
He said it even as the Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday approved the offer of a Russian defence manufacturing firm to build 200 advanced twin-engine Kamov helicopters for the Indian armed forces.
“There will be no compromise on HAL’s Dhruv. We need quantity from them too. Army and Air Force need many more helicopters. In fact, the shortage is almost around 500,” Parrikar said, adding that around 250 Chetak and Cheetah helicopters used by the Indian military were around 30 years old.
Speaking about the helicopter deal, Parrikar said the Indian government was dealing with Russia directly over the issue and that while 60 choppers would be purchased directly “rest of the 140 will be manufactured here under the Make in India programme”.
“As a result, an eco-system for helicopters will be created,” Parrikar said.