Parrikar gets tech taste; IAF gets first Tejas

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Jan 17: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar got a taste of the technologies being trumpeted by DRDO, HAL, BEML and BEL during a 13-hour supersonic visit to Bengaluru on Saturday. As reported by OneIndia earlier, Parrikar also handed over documents of the first Tejas series production (SP-1) aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.

HAL must think out-of-the-box:  While patting HAL for giving thrust to the Tejas project in the last couple of years, Parrikar reminded the DPSU to be smart in their thinking process.

“I want HAL to think out-of-the-box so as to meet the time-line challenges. HAL must also apply the right management tools,” the minister said.

Parrikar wanted HAL to give thrust in the areas of research and technology by exploiting the existing knowledge base. “One does not achieve everything over-night. But by modifying our work culture and by adopting better technology and tools we can achieve the results better,” he said.

* Reluctant IAF finally toes the line

* Tyagi’s dream finally takes wing

* Parrikar rings the BEL

Full report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/15cNtR7

OneIndia Exclusive: Parrikar to review DRDO, HAL projects in Bengaluru

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Jan 16: Two days after owning up the responsibility for recommending the contract termination of India’s top missile brain and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Dr Avinash Chander, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will touchdown in Bengaluru on January 17 morning for the review of critical projects. 

Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources told OneIndia that Parrikar’s office, currently facing the heat for targeting one of the most-revered defence scientists in India, has given instructions not to have any media interaction during his lightning one-day visit. He is expected to visit the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) during the first half of the day. 

* Empowered Committee on LCA meeting 

* Aero-cluster review also being lined up 

* A low-key Tejas handing over event likely 

* HAL’s proposal with MoD 

* Dr Avninash Chander to be absent 

Read the full report at OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1KQwbt1

Ye dil maange more! Choppers from BEML by 2017? Yes, says Natarajan

Scheme of things to come. Image for graphic representation only.

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Palakkad |  India | December 9, 2010 |

The monopoly of Indian military aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) may be seriously challenged as Bengaluru-based DPSU Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML) reveals plans to begin assembling helicopters and fixed-wing platforms. “When you are already in [the] aerospace business, you can’t keep aircraft manufacturing out of your radar,” BEML Chairman and Managing Director V.R.S. Natarajan said during Aviation Week’s visit to its Palakkad facility. “It’s not immediate, but we are heading in that direction. Plans are afoot and maybe by [the] 2015-17 period, we would have already begun the work.”

The company is working alongside HAL on several projects, providing landing gear for the Dhruv, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, Natarajan says. BEML, like HAL, is an Indian Defense Public Sector Undertaking. BEML announced early in 2010 the establishment of an Aerospace Manufacturing Division (AMD) to produce ground-handling equipment, tooling and components. The AMD has begun its operations in Mysore, and now BEML is hoping to shift all operations to Devanahalli, near Bengaluru. An agreement with the Karnataka government is already in place to set up an aerospace complex at the special economic zone (SEZ) in Devanahalli.

(This is a backlog update from Aviation Week to Tarmak007)

To become a blog member,
click on the logo below.

To read the complete report,
visit the AW link below.

BEML seeks IIM-B's help to double fortunes by 2017

BEML chief and Directors addressing FDAJB members at its plant in Palakkad on December 6. Photo: BEML

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Palakkad |  India | December 8, 2010 |

India’s Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML) has accepted the help of a premier Indian business school in an attempt to meet the goal of doubling its sales by 2017. V.R.S. Natarajan, chairman and managing director, recently told a group of journalists at BEML’s new facility in Kanjikode, near Palakkad in Kerala, that the company hopes to achieve Rs 10,000 crore ($2.2 billion) in sales with the assistance of the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B). “The Strategic Management Group of IIM-B will look into company affairs from a 360-degree angle and give its findings by March 31, 2011,” Natarajan says. The Palakkad facility opened in May, and within seven months reported profits of Rs 100 crore.

(This is a backlog update from Aviation Week to Tarmak007)

To become a blog member,
click on the logo below.

To read the complete report,
visit the AW link below.

Snapshots from God's Own Country! FDAJB team @ BEML Palakkad

 The Forum of Defense and Aerospace Journalists, Bangalore, (FDAJB), members visited the new defense production facility of BEML in Kanjikode (near Palakkad,  Kerala). Comprehensive stories on BEML will be up on this blog after they appear in AW publication(s). The last but one photo is BEML Chairman V.R. S. Natarajan and the last one is of FDAJB Akash Team members. Photos: BEML CorpCom