Rolls-Royce and the IAF
Aproud partner of the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 1933 when the Rolls-Royce Bristol Jupiter Engine powered the first flight of the IAF, Rolls-Royce congratulated India’s brave air soldiers on occasion of the 89th Indian Air Force Day. Over 750 Rolls-Royce engines of 10 engine types are powering different aircraft of the Indian military including combat and strike aircrafts, trainers, strategic airlift, VVIP and surveillance aircraft. Over the years, Rolls-Royce has established a strong ecosystem in India to support these engines. A dedicated Defence Service Centre in Bangalore supports all Rolls-Royce engines in operation with the armed forces, with a dedicated team ensuring optimum availability of engines and time on wing, while reducing maintenance and overhaul times.
Kishore Jayaraman, President–India and South Asia, RollsRoyce stated, “It has been both our privilege and honour to serve the Indian Air Force for the last eight decades, and we salute the brave officers of the IAF on the occasion of Air Force Day. As India envisions the fleet of the future, our commitment to support the country’s defence indigenisation and self-reliance goals remains as strong as ever.”
Through its growing partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Rolls-Royce has further reinforced its commitment to serve the Indian Air Force and enable the mission capability of the fleet. Rolls-Royce engines have been ‘made in India’ and supported by HAL for over 60 years. The partnership has evolved to include an authorised maintenance centre at HAL for Adour Mk871 engine and a supply chain agreement that enables Adour engine parts to be made in India to support IAF and Rolls-Royce’s global customers.
Abhishek Singh, Senior Vice President– Defence, India and South East Asia, Rolls-Royce stated, “We are honoured to have been supporting the Indian Armed Forces to fulfil critical training, transport and combat roles. We will continue to support the mission readiness of our engines powering the IAF fleet and enable the ‘power to protect’ through our technologically advanced product and service offerings.”
Prominent Rolls-Royce engine types powering various military aircraft in India include combat and strike aircraft Jaguar powered by the Adour Mk811, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer powered by Adour Mk871, strategic airlift aircraft C-130J Hercules powered by AE2100, VVIP and Surveillance aircraft ERJ145 powered by AE3007.
Every year, the Sanicole Airshow at Leopoldsburg Airport is a treat for the visitors. In the year 2020, the show was canceled due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, the show was restrcutured in 2021 with organisers aligning the event with Corona protocols.
Simultaneously and in collaboration with the Tiger squadron at vlb KleineBrogel, the participants of the Mini Tiger Meet also flew during the Sanicole show. The highlight for many visitors was the spectacular evening show on 10 September 2021 with aircraft giving a demonstration from the small Sanicole runway and
from the nearby runway of Kleine-Brogel Air Base.
Participants that excited the viewers with their evening flying display incuded the F-16, Agusta A109, an Airbus A400M from Belgium, Patrouille Suisse demo team from Switzerland, Red Arrows demo team from UK, Saab Gripen from Hungary and Equipe de Voltige in the Extra 330 from France.
In the civilian part, the participants included aircraft such as a biplane from Sweeden flown Jacob Hollander, the two gliders of Airborne Pyrotechnics and the Consolidated Catalina from UK, the SA300 Trescal Starduster from France and Hawker Sea Fury flown by Kris van Den Bergh from Belgium.
Mini Tiger Meet
During the event, a spotter day took place at Kleine-Brogel. After a year of absence due to Covid, this time thousands of aircraft enthusiasts were present at the Belgian base. The highlight for spotters was the presence of a French Navy Hawkeye. The E-2C Hawkeye plays an important role on board the Charles de Gaulle (CdG). The aircraft, which is equipped with two turboprop engines, is a flying radar station for the crew of the ship and its aircraft.
A Mini Tiger Meet brought many participants from the Tiger squadrons in Europe to Kleine Brogel.