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Israel outsources $100-mn composites for UAVs to India
New Delhi, June 5: In its first major defence export to the country, India has inked a $100-million deal to sell composite materials to Israel for its future generation of mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Under the recently signed contract, Indian aviation giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will export lightweight composite materials, manufactured from carbon fibers, to Israel. While the composites are primarily intended for a new Israeli mini UAV project, they will also be used for space applications, Government sources said.
Israel has outsourced its composite requirements for UAVs to India. The materials will be used for a mini UAV that will fly at an altitude of 10,000 feet, a top MoD official said. The official added that HAL will manufacture the composites from raw material imported from Japan and France.
The composites, similar to the ones being used on Indias Advanced Light Helicopters and the Light Combat Aircraft, will significantly reduce the weight of the UAV to give it a longer range and an increased payload.
There are deficiencies in the field of engines (when it comes to indigenous research and development) but the deal underlines that India is emerging as a leader as far as composite materials are concerned, the official said.
While the export contract comes with no strings attached, the Indian Army is looking at inducting a significant number of mini UAVs for its infantry units in the near future. The Army will soon be floating a global tender to acquire the mini UAVs that can be carried by a single soldier and used for tactical real time battlefield reconnaissance.
Numbers have not been disclosed but the contract is expected to run into thousands of UAVs and is being eyed by several leading manufacturers of Israel, US and Europe. Indian defence giants, including Tata Industries, have also tied up with global players to manufacture the mini UAVs in the country.
The $100-million contract reflects a change in the defence relation with Israel, which till now has been a one-way street with Tel Aviv emerging as Indias second largest defence supplier after Russia. Indian military imports from Israel crossed the $1-billion mark for the first time in 2006
New Delhi, June 5: In its first major defence export to the country, India has inked a $100-million deal to sell composite materials to Israel for its future generation of mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Under the recently signed contract, Indian aviation giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will export lightweight composite materials, manufactured from carbon fibers, to Israel. While the composites are primarily intended for a new Israeli mini UAV project, they will also be used for space applications, Government sources said.
Israel has outsourced its composite requirements for UAVs to India. The materials will be used for a mini UAV that will fly at an altitude of 10,000 feet, a top MoD official said. The official added that HAL will manufacture the composites from raw material imported from Japan and France.
The composites, similar to the ones being used on Indias Advanced Light Helicopters and the Light Combat Aircraft, will significantly reduce the weight of the UAV to give it a longer range and an increased payload.
There are deficiencies in the field of engines (when it comes to indigenous research and development) but the deal underlines that India is emerging as a leader as far as composite materials are concerned, the official said.
While the export contract comes with no strings attached, the Indian Army is looking at inducting a significant number of mini UAVs for its infantry units in the near future. The Army will soon be floating a global tender to acquire the mini UAVs that can be carried by a single soldier and used for tactical real time battlefield reconnaissance.
Numbers have not been disclosed but the contract is expected to run into thousands of UAVs and is being eyed by several leading manufacturers of Israel, US and Europe. Indian defence giants, including Tata Industries, have also tied up with global players to manufacture the mini UAVs in the country.
The $100-million contract reflects a change in the defence relation with Israel, which till now has been a one-way street with Tel Aviv emerging as Indias second largest defence supplier after Russia. Indian military imports from Israel crossed the $1-billion mark for the first time in 2006
