Latest news with #Prachand
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Tanks in the air' arriving next week: Indian Army to get three Apache helicopters for deployment near Pakistan border
India Army will receive three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States on July 21, according to an NDTV report. These helicopters will be stationed near the Pakistan border to boost the Army's offensive and reconnaissance operations. The aircraft will arrive at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad. Apaches, the world's most advanced attack helicopter, is often called as the tank killers or 'Tank in the air'. This delivery follows a delay caused by global supply chain issues and shifting geopolitical conditions. It comes over 15 months after the Indian Army established its first Apache squadron in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Background on Apache acquisitions and deployment The Indian Air Force signed a deal with the US and Boeing in 2015 to buy 22 Apache helicopters. The delivery was completed by July 2020. Later in 2020, India signed another deal worth $600 million to buy six more Apaches for the Army. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Profit in Just 15 Minutes? You Just Need Right Strategy thefutureuniversity Learn More Undo The first set of helicopters under the second contract was originally scheduled to be delivered between May and June 2024. However, the timeline was pushed back. Also Read: 'Third revolution': CDS Anil Chauhan warns about changing wars, says future belongs to smaller not bigger weapons Live Events Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. During the discussion, Singh requested faster delivery of the Apache helicopters and also flagged the urgent need for GE F404 engines, which are meant for the LCA Tejas fighter jets. Singh said it was an 'excellent discussion' aimed at strengthening the India–US defence partnership. In 2022, the Indian Army conducted an internal study that projected a need for 39 Apache helicopters to meet long-term requirements. The Apache is viewed as a crucial addition to India's efforts to modernise the Army Aviation Corps. Other helicopter platforms in operation Apart from the Apache, the Indian Army operates several other helicopter platforms. These include the Rudra, an armed version of the Dhruv helicopter, used for anti-tank and close air support roles. Lighter helicopters such as the Cheetah and Chetak continue to be deployed for medical evacuation, logistics, and surveillance missions in remote areas. India is also focusing on indigenous platforms. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand has been designed to perform in high-altitude environments. In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹62,700 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the production of 156 Prachand helicopters—66 for the Air Force and 90 for the Army.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM's principal secretary reviews key indigenous projects at HAL
Bengaluru: , principal secretary to the prime minister, visited defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities in Bengaluru on Tuesday and reviewed progress on several key indigenous defence and space programmes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The visit was led by HAL CMD DK Sunil, with other board members present. Mishra began the visit at the Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC), where he toured the LCA Mk 2 hangar,' HAL said late on Tuesday. Mishra then proceeded to the LCA Tejas assembly hangar and the aerospace division, where he was briefed on the ongoing production of the LCA Tejas Mk 1A. HAL displayed six LCA Mk 1A fighters and two LCA Mk 1 trainers during the visit. 'HAL presented a range of indigenous platforms to the visiting official, including the Prachand light combat helicopter, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Dhruv advanced light helicopter, and the HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft. The organisation reaffirmed its readiness to lead collaborative, multi-stakeholder programmes in the future,' the PSU said. PK Mishra at HAL, Bengaluru At the aerospace division, Mishra was received by Isro chairman V Narayanan. He toured the LVM-3 and PSLV assembly lines, the cryogenic engine manufacturing facility, and reviewed HAL's contributions to the Gaganyaan mission. PK Mishra at HAL, Bengaluru 'He was also briefed on HAL's recent selection for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology transfer programme. Mishra commended HAL's role in advancing India's self-reliance in defence and aerospace,' HAL added.
Mint
03-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Govt clears acquisition proposals for military goods worth ₹1.05 lakh crore
The Ministry of Defence's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday, 3 July 2025, cleared capital acquisition proposals worth nearly ₹ 1.05 lakh crore as the nation's military seeks to onboard new defence equipment. As per the official release, the 10 capital acquisition proposals are set to be carried out through indigenous sourcing from Indian companies. 'Defence Acquisition Council, under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on July 03, 2025, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to approx. ₹ 1.05 lakh crore through indigenous sourcing,' said the Ministry of Defence in its official statement. The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) or the need for these proposals are for defence equipment like the procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services and Surface-to-Air Missiles. 'These procurements will provide higher mobility, effective air defence, better supply chain management and augment the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces,' said the Ministry of Defence in the official statement. The Defence Ministry also cleared the AoNs for the procurement of Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mount and Submersible Autonomous Vessels, as the government seeks to mitigate the potential risks posed to the Naval and Merchant Vessels of India. 'To provide further impetus to indigenous design and development, AoNs were accorded under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category,' said the Ministry. The Ministry of Defence in June 2025 was planning to review a ₹ 30,000 crore proposal to procure three regiments of the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM) system for the Indian Army, according to Mint's earlier report. On 28 March 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the biggest-ever deal to buy 156 Light Combat Helicopters worth over ₹ 62,000 crore for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The Defence Ministry will buy the helicopters named 'Prachand' from HAL at a cost of ₹ 62,700 crore to improve the nation's military. Prachand is a Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which is developed in India, and is the nation's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HAL shares in focus as delay-hit Tejas jets to reach IAF by March
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) shares will be in focus on Wednesday after CMD D.K. Sunil confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive at least six Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) by March 2026. The assurance comes amid concerns raised by the IAF over delays in the delivery schedule. Sunil attributed the delay to U.S.-based GE Aerospace, which missed deadlines for supplying the F404 engines that power the LCA Mk-1A variant. 'The aircraft are ready. As of today, we have six aircraft lined up, but the engine deliveries from GE Aerospace have not happened. They were supposed to deliver the engines in 2023, and so far, we've received only one,' Sunil said in an interview with PTI. He added that the delays were initially due to COVID-related disruptions and the exit of senior engineers, which caused supply chain bottlenecks. However, with technical issues now resolved, HAL expects to receive 12 engines during the current fiscal year, enabling deliveries to the IAF. 'Every company faces criticism. In our case, we're prepared — the jets are ready, and we'll deliver them by the end of this fiscal,' Sunil said. Live Events The IAF had earlier raised concerns about the delay in the induction of the LCA Mk-1A, with Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh highlighting the issue publicly. HAL now plans to produce 16 Tejas jets next year, provided the engine supply remains steady. Also Read: M&M, Coforge among 10 high-conviction stock ideas post Q4FY25 results that can rally up to 52% In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 48,000 crore contract with HAL to procure 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets. An additional order for 97 more jets, worth Rs 67,000 crore, is currently in the pipeline. The single-engine Tejas Mk-1A is designed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet and bolster the IAF's squadron strength, which has declined to 31 from the sanctioned 42. The Tejas is a multi-role fighter equipped with advanced radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and a wide range of missiles. 'It's a potent platform with a full complement of avionics and weapons. It will serve the Air Force well,' Sunil said. Also Read: 11 Nifty mid & smallcap stocks that can rally 40-90% over the next 12 months Sunil also said HAL is in talks with several countries that have expressed interest in the Tejas aircraft. 'We hope to have a breakthrough soon,' he said, without naming the potential buyers. Additionally, HAL recently secured a major contract to supply 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand to the Indian military. The Rs 62,700 crore deal was finalised in March, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028. The Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, capable of operating at altitudes above 4,500 metres. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Economic Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India-US deal to produce F-414 jet engines to be sealed by March: HAL Chief Sunil
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will seal a deal with US defence major GE Aerospace by March to jointly produce a jet engine to power the next generation of India's combat aircraft, the aviation behemoth's chief DK Sunil has mega plan to jointly produce the F-414 engines in India was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington DC in 2023, though the programme suffered from several slippages because of protracted negotiations on the sharing of advanced an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Sunil said crucial negotiations with GE Aerospace on the transfer of technologies for the engines were concluded and both sides are now focusing on the commercial aspects of the project."We are now discussing the ToT (transfer of technologies) principles. (We will have) 80 per cent transfer of technology. Those discussions are more or less over," he said. "Now we will be getting into the commercials. So, in this financial year, we should be able to conclude this deal," he forward movement in joint production of the premier engines, which are powering combat jets in several countries including the US, Sweden and Australia, is seen as very significant considering the long-held US policy of maintaining strict controls over domestic military said the GE engines will be used in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mark 2 variant and the initial prototypes of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)."We are having regular rounds of discussions with GE Aerospace," he F-414 project under the technology transfer framework is crucial for India's ambitious Tejas programme as well as the AMCA HAL is working on the Tejas Mark 2 variant which will be a much more potent platform featuring a more powerful engine, greater load carrying capability, superior electronic warfare system and an array of advanced IAF is procuring around 180 Tejas Mark 1A variants at a cost of around Rs 1.15 lakh crore. The single-engine Mk-1A will be a replacement for the IAF's MiG-21 also has been working on the ambitious AMCA project to develop the medium-weight deep penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features to bolster its air power along with the Tejas light combat aircraft are planned to be the mainstays of the Indian Air also talked about HAL winning a mega contract to supply Prachand helicopters to the Indian March, the defence ministry firmed up the procurement of 156 light combat helicopter 'Prachand' from the HAL at a cost of Rs 62,700 crore to bolster the combat capability of the HAL top executive said delivery of Prachand will commence in Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter having capability of operating at an altitude of over 4500 metres."It is the biggest contract in India's military history. We produced 15 limited series productions (variants of the chopper) and delivered them. It is a very big shot in the arm for 'aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in the defence sector," Sunil whole attack helicopters are going to be made by HAL within the country and that platform will feature an array of weapons including rockets and anti-tank guided missiles.
