Date:13/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/13/stories/2007111353691000.htm

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Plane deal second major initiative

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: The India-Russia accord on development and production of a multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) signed in Moscow on Monday marks the beginning of the second major joint research and development initiative in the aviation sector between the two sides.

The first one fructified during Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s visit to Moscow last month. Both countries agreed to develop and produce the fifth generation fighter aircraft.

This is the first time they have agreed to develop substantial military platforms – the fifth generation fighter and the MTA. The two pacts effectively maintain Russian dominance of the Indian armed forces’ aircraft segment even as it is losing supremacy in some other areas, notably air defence and reconnaissance systems, helicopters and anti-ship missiles.

While the fifth generation aircraft will take care of India’s security needs after a decade, the latest agreement will replace the An-32, the ageing workhorses of the Indian Air Force, and also give India a first-ever toehold in the exports market. Despite the ability of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to assemble and refurbish a large variety of military aircraft, India has been unable to penetrate the global aviation market, civil and military.

The MTA, with a 15 to 20 tonne payload capability, will be configured for a variety of roles – cargo, troop transport, paradrop, casualty evacuation, air dropping of supplies, weapon delivery and aerial refuelling.

Later, in case if there was a requirement, the aircraft could be changed into a 100-seater passenger aircraft. If that occurs, the aircraft would be in direct competition to another Russia-based Sukhoi, which is venturing into the passenger aircraft business. The time period between the go-ahead for the project to product development and certification has been estimated at six years.

As per the pact, the Russian armed forces will buy 100 of the aircraft and the IAF 45. Sixty will be earmarked for sale to third countries.