DefExpo witnesses signing of over 200 MoUs, ToTs & products launches

Lucknow: Over 200 partnerships involving signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), Transfer of Technology (ToTs) , Product launches were concluded on the third day of DefExpo 2020 at ceremony tilted "Bandhan".

The pacts, aimed at forging and renewing partnerships for innovative collaboration, and transformation of the Defence manufacturing in the country were inked by representatives of various DPSUs, Indian private Defence cos and foreign companies in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath here.Mr Singh described the signing of MoUs as a step in the direction to achieve Prime Minister's $5 billion defence exports target in next 5 years.

"The Defence PSUs and the Indian defence private industry were better placed today to lead India as the emerging R&D hub of the world leveraging the sharp minds of Indian youth. The liberalised licensing regime brought out by the government would surely attract large investments by both Indian and global companies," Mr Singh said on the ocassion.

Among those MoUs signed here, 23 of them were by Uttar Pradesh Government.  

CM Adityanath said these MoUs envisage Rs 50,000 crores investment in the defence corridor setup in the state and generate 3 lakh job opportunities. He assured that investments coming to the state were secure  and  the state investment policy was the most attractive in the country. 

He also announced that HAL would soon supply Dornier 19-seater civilian aircraft to U.P.

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said that this DefExpo would be remembered for many firsts ? including for the signing of largest number of MoUs, ToTs and product launches. Bandhan ceremony witnessed more than 13 product launches, 124 MoUs between DPSUs, private and global defence manufacturing companies. 

"23 MoUs were signed between the UP Government and private companies," he said.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Sateesh Reddy said that it was DRDO's duty to ensure that the Defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh flourishes, hence DRDO signed a Technological partnership agreement with the state government, imparting skill training, hand holding and providing guidance in all aspects related to technology. 

"A collaboration cell was already setup in the state to facilitate the process." he added. He also mentioned that a Research and Development centre would be setup in the state that would act as a catalyst with respect to defence development. "Technology transfer was made available at no cost to companies in order to further the defence ecosystem in the country," Mr Reddy said. 

During the course of the ceremony, a major announcement in the form of issuing the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) certificate of Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) was issued to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

LUH is designed and developed as a replacement for Cheetah & Chetak helicopters which are currently being operated by Indian Armed forces.LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-Ton class incorporating the state-of-the-art technology features which will meet the emerging needs in this class of helicopters in the coming decades.

OFB launched "Sharang" the 155mm artillery gun with 36 km range and handed over a model to Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane. OFB also launched JVPC Alpha gun with 100 mt range,  Light Machine Gun of 800 mt range and UBGL ? Under barrel Grenade launcher.

BDL launched Amogha-3 the anti-Tank Guided Missile. It is a man portable fire and forget missile.It also launched Varunastra the anti-submarine torpedo, manufactured under the technological guidance of DRDO.

DefExpo: HAL receives IOC for LUH

Lucknow: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd () on Friday got the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the production of  the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)  the 11th biennial defence show here.

The move will pave the way for production of LUH, which is required for India Air Force and Indian Army.

HAL CMD R Madhavan received the IOC document from DRDO Chairman G Sateesh Reddy at the 'Bandhan' programme held at ongoing DefExpo 2020 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others.

Mr Madhavan said, ''This is a momentous occasion for HAL. It reinforces our commitment towards indigenous R&D programs on self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of the Indian Armed Forces. HAL is fully geared up to fulfil the requirements of its customers in a time bound manner''.

HAL Director (Engineering & R&D) Arup Chatterjee said the performance of basic configuration of LUH in all terrains and under all weather conditions is satisfactory and HAL is moving towards the next phase of integrating and flight testing of Mission & Role Equipment on LUH.

One LUH Prototype is part of flying display and another is part of static display at the DefExpo 2020.

LUH is a single engine, light weight, highly agile 3-Ton Utility Helicopter, indigenously designed & developed to meet the operational requirements of Indian Army & IAF.It will soon replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

Three prototypes have been built and cumulatively completed over 550 flights under various terrains and climatic conditions like cold weather, hot weather, sea-level and high altitude complying to stringent certification and user requirements.

Its endurance and reliability were established during the hot weather and high-altitude trials where in LUH was ferried from Bengaluru, covering over 7000 kms of distance and continuously flying for 17 days without any abnormalities.(UNI)