Saab bags orders from HAL

Defence and security company Saab has received two orders from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for serial production of an integrated electronic warfare self-protection system for installa- tion on the Indian Army’s and Air Force’s advanced light helicopter (ALH). The orders have a total value of approximately SEK 216 million (USD$33 million).

Saab’s Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) protects crew and aircraft and enhances the survivability in sophisticated, diverse and dense threat environments. The system provides a timely warning against different types of threats including radar, laser and missile approach warning; and automatically deploys the appropriate countermeasures.

“Saab has an unbeaten capability in the field of electronic warfare and self-protection. The IDAS system is one of our flagship products sold to customers around the world,” says Micael Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Electronic Defence Systems.

These orders follow initial serial production orders received in 2008 and further established Saab as a local partner to the Indian industry and provider of high-tech products and systems to the Indian armed forces.

“With these orders we continue to build on our very successful partnership with HAL. The fact that HAL and the armed forces have continued to show faith in the IDAS system is a testimony of the effectiveness and reliability of the solution,” says Lars-Olof Lindgren, Head of Market Area, Saab India.

Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2014. Development and production of the IDAS system will take place at Saab in Centurion, South Africa.