Smaller players too show interest in MiG-29, AN-32 overhaul

[kurup]

NAGPUR: On the heels of bigger players like Tatas and Max Aerospace evincing interest in overhauling MiG-29 and AN-32 aircraft, around half a dozen more firms have responded to the request for information (RFI) floated by Indian Air Force (IAF). Interestingly, none of these companies are known names in the business.

So far, the IAF has received 12 responses to the RFI, of which 5-6 are from firms whose names have not even been heard of. They claim to be operating in the aerospace sector, but it seems most of them may be small or medium sector industries. This is the first time these firms have come forward to take up any assignment for the IAF, said sources.

Now, with plans being finalized, IAF will float final tenders within 15-20 days in the form of newspaper advertisements as well as posts on the IAF portal, said a senior officer. According to recent calculations, it is felt that the entire job may be completed in Rs20 to 30 crore.

There is not much to be invested by the private party. The job will be done at the base repair depots (BRDs) of the maintenance command itself, limiting investment from the domestic private players, sources said.

Though some of the parties have already responded to the RFI, the tenders will be open to others too. The regular process of earnest money deposit and filing technical and financial bids will be followed, said IAF sources.

The entire process is being handled by the IAF's maintenance command headquartered at Nagpur. On the lines of involving private parties in the overhaul of MiG-29 and AN-32s, the air headquarters has also recently given the green signal for adopting a similar model for a couple of other aircraft too. Even these are a fighter and a transport plane purchased from the erstwhile USSR, said a source, preferring not to name the models.

This is the first time that the IAF is roping in private players for the maintenance of its fleet. TOI had first reported the matter on December 2013, when IAF had received responses from seven companies, which included the Tatas.

The new model is being adopted after the IAF started facing hiccups with the original equipment makers (OEMs) from erstwhile USSR. The MiG-29 fighter planes have been facing certain serviceability issues, with some accidents also reported. The IAF is already behind schedule for its aircraft overhaul. Even the AN-32 transport aircraft is behind schedule due to problems in procuring spares from the manufacturer in Ukraine.

Smaller players too show interest in MiG-29, AN-32 overhaul - The Times of India