Saab partners with HAL for ToT

Saab’s subsidiary company, Saab Grintek Defence (SGD), and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Avionics Division have signed a contract to deliver transfer of technology (ToT) between South Africa and India. Announced at Aero India 2017, the contract, valued at $8.5 million, concerns transfer of technology for

in-country maintenance of Saab’s Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) system in India. IDAS has been selected as the electronic warfare (EW) self-protection system for Indian Air Force and Indian Army variants of the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, including the Rudra ( photo on previous page). Meanwhile it is reported that the Indian Army has since deployed two operational Rudra units, one in the west and the other in the north east, and is raising a third at Bangalore.

The maintenance ToT provides for the supply and commissioning of test infrastructure at HAL Hyderabad along with documentation and training of HAL personnel in both Centurion, South Africa, and Hyderabad. The ToT programme and will qualify HAL Hyderabad as a Saab-approved IDAS repair facility. HAL will focus on maintenance and repair of IDAS equipment for the Indian end-users. Saab will continue to support HAL Hyderabad with critical spares and proprietary components for the entire service life of IDAS.