The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the aerospace major, has signed a tripartite general contract with the United Aircraft Corporation — Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA), the Russian partner and their JV-Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) for the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project.
HAL and UAC-TA have proposed to design, develop and produce the multi-role transport aircraft in the 15-20 tonne class, jointly by the Indian and Russian agencies to meet the requirements of 100 aircraft for the Russian Air Force, 45 aircraft for the IAF and 60 for other countries. The total requirement for the present is 205.
According to a release from HAL, “The MTA project’s preliminary design will start immediately on signing the follow up contract on preliminary design on which tripartite discussions have been concluded.”
The primary objective of the project is to achieve self-reliance in design and development and production of aircraft of this size and also to manage the programme with international collaboration and large number of global suppliers.
The aircraft will be designed for cargo / troop transportation; paradrop/air drop of supplies including ‘low altitude parachute extraction system’ and is to be co-developed by HAL and UAC, and Rosoboronexport of Russia, through a Joint Venture company.
Indian and Russian governments had earlier signed an Inter Governmental Agreement for joint design, development and production of MTA on a 50:50 sharing basis and had decided to form a JV between HAL UAC-TA and Rosoboronexport for the project.
HAL will carry out the design and development of its workshare of the MTA at the Aircraft R&D (ARDC) Centre at Bangalore while its Transport Aircraft Division (TAD) at Kanpur will manufacture the prototypes and subsequently the serial production will be done at Kanpur where dedicated facilities are being set up. HAL’s other R&D Centres and manufacturing divisions will share development of systems and LRUs and manufacture of components, sub-assemblies and composite structure. HAL will showcase its expertise in design of aircraft as well as systems, manufacturing and flight testing while jointly working with the Russian team in Moscow as well as in India.
HAL has been manufacturing transport aircraft at TAD, Kanpur, namely the Avros HS-748 and Dornier Do-228.
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The HAL has manufactured 89 Avros with the first delivery in April 1964 and the 89th aircraft delivery being in September 1984.
HAL has also carried out a number of upgrades and customisation of these aircraft even as it maintains the fleet.
HAL has manufactured 116 Dorniers till date with first delivery in 1984 and the 116th in March 2012 and the same are being maintained by the Kanpur division. Two Do-228 maritime aircraft have been exported to Mauritius. HAL has also taken up manufacturing of structural assemblies of Do-228 for Ruag Aerospace, Germany and has supplied eight sets so far. Export of one Do-228 to Seychelles is under progress.