Saab has been awarded a contract modification for serial production of an integrated electronic warfare self-protection system for installation on the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army’s Dhruv advanced light helicopter.
The SEK740m ($78m) contract was awarded by Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL). It requires the company to begin serial production of its integrated defensive aids suite (IDAS) that protects crew by enhancing platform survivability in diverse and dense threat environments.
Saab Electronic Defence Systems business area head Micael Johansson said: "The success of IDAS continues and we are proud that HAL and the Indian Armed Forces have continued faith in the IDAS system, of which this follow-on orders is a clear indication.
"It is a testimony of the effectiveness and reliability of the IDAS solution."
The contract also covers supply of IDAS ground support and test equipment for the advanced light helicopter programme.
Manufacturing work under the contract will be carried out at Saab Grintek Defence’s facility in Centurion, South Africa, and deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2015 and 2018.
IDAS is designed to offer electronic order of battle, and self-defence for airborne platforms. It provides timely warning against radar, laser and infra-red guided threats and automatically deploys the appropriate countermeasures.
The system is currently installed on an array of airborne platforms, such as the Saab 2000, AgustaWestland A109, Super Lynx 300, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Denel Rooivalk and Oryx, as well asEurocopter Cougar, Puma and Super Puma, NH90, C-130 and L100 Hercules, and the Su-30MKM fighter aircraft.
Dhruv is an advanced 5.5t class light helicopter built by HAL for the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and civil operations. It is powered by two Turbomeca TM 333-2C or 2B2 engines.
Image: An Indian Armed Force’s Dhruv advanced light helicopter in flight. Photo: courtesy of Copyright © 2014 Saab AB.
