Saab subsidiary Saab Grintek Defence (SGD) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Avionics Division have signed a contract to deliver transfer of technology (ToT) between South Africa and India.
The contract valued at $8.5 million (ZAR112 million) was signed and announced at Aero India 2017 and will see the 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 the Indian Air Force and Indian Army Aviation Corp’s variants of the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter.
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.
Trevor Raman, President and CEO of Saab Grintek Defence, said "The export of this technology to India bodes well for future manufacturing and skills transfers, and for building an ongoing mutually beneficial partnership in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
The ToT programme will run for 24 months and will qualify HAL Hyderabad as a Saab-approved IDAS repair facility. HAL will focus on maintenance and repair of IDAS equipment for Indian end-users. Saab will continue to support HAL Hyderabad with critical spares and proprietary components for the entire service life of IDAS.