KA-226T Utility Chopper Has 33% Indigenous Content: HAL

KA-226T Utility Chopper Has 33% Indigenous Content: HAL

Deal held up due to shortfall in Russian proposal for indigenous content, says HAL chief The total indigenous content of the KA-226T utility helicopters, to be jointly manufactured locally by India and Russia with Transfer of Technology (ToT), is between 27%-33%, said Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) R. Madhavan. The final deal is held up as the Russian proposal of 62% indigenous content in assembled helicopters falls short of the tender requirement of 70%. “In KA-226T when we talk of 70% indigenous content, it is not the same as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 52%. The 70% is of the Russian content. Engine from Safran and avionics from other countries are not accounted for in this. Balance is what we are looking and from there 70% is taken. Taking the whole helicopter, the indigenous content is about 27-33%,” he said in response to a question at Aero India. Russians were unable to offer 70% of this and they offered up to 62%; that too which will come…