Ukraine war, sanctions cast shadow on Indo-Russian joint venture for 200 choppers

BENGALURU: The Indo-Russian associated task (JV) to manufacture 200 Kamov helicopters successful India has remained successful limbo arsenic the Ukraine war, Western sanctions connected Russia, and post-Covid proviso concatenation disruptions person hampered its progress.India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement successful 2015. Subsequently, HAL and Russian Helicopters floated a JV - Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited (IRHL) - to instrumentality the project."The Russians person had their ain issues with their warfare with Ukraine and consequent sanctions connected them. They faced issues securing parts - peculiarly those antecedently sourced from Europe. Even the motor was coming from Europe.

Now they are investigating with their ain engine," HAL CMD DK Sunil told TOI, adding that HAL has been told the presumption of certification would beryllium shared by the extremity of this year.He said the Russians adjacent agreed to the 70% indigenisation clause but that they needed time. Of the 200 helicopters, 135 are meant for Army and 65 for IAF. "We've asked them for details. At present, it's successful a fluid state. We'll hold for their certification presumption earlier taking a call," Sunil added.

Since the JV remains stalled, HAL is shifting absorption to its indigenous platforms - airy inferior chopper (LUH), airy combat chopper (LCH), and the upcoming Indian multi-role chopper (IMRH).Sunil said HAL's caller chopper analyzable successful Karnataka's Tumakuru is already producing LUH and volition gradually go the centre of aboriginal rotary-wing production. "We've built 8 LUHs determination already. LCH volition determination determination successful a phased manner. Eventually, adjacent IMRH, our 12-tonne-class helicopter, volition beryllium built there," helium said. The Tumakuru facility, erstwhile afloat operational, is expected to easiness unit disconnected HAL's Bengaluru chopper division, which volition proceed producing precocious airy chopper (ALH) Dhruv.