CM invites global aircraft MRO operators to Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Using the platform of DefExpo where major international and domestic defence manufacturers participated, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday demanded light combat aircraft and helicopter manufacturing facility in Salem.

Palaniswami also demanded a defence aircraft maintenance, repair and overhauling (defence MRO) in Coimbatore. “MRO activities are an equally important area in aerospace and defence sector. We are focusing on establishing an MRO complex in Chennai. Tamil Nadu welcomes reputed MRO operators to set up their operations in Tamil Nadu,” he said at the DefExpo event, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated.

Explaining the capabilities of the state in production, he said that the state has the largest number of medium and small scale industries in the country. “The MSMEs should come forward to take up large projects and programmers from defence forces, DRDO, ISRO and other central defence PSUs. The state government will support MSMEs,” he added.

Palaniswami also announced at the event the state government is in the process of drafting an exclusive aerospace and defence policy with an objective of achieving a 25 per cent share of the sector. 

“Development of Chennai aerospace and defence park in Sriperumbudur is one such initiative to start with.  This park is being set up in 250 acres in the first phase, which is expandable to 500 acres in the next phase,” he said.

Goa Shipyard inks deal with Germany for OPV engines

Germany’s technology on the offshore engine is all set to transfer to Goa Shipyard Limited as the latter has inked a deal with MTU, Germany on the sidelines of DefExpo on Thursday.

The deal would enhance the capability of MTU Series 8000 engines fitted onboard all Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) recently constructed or currently under construction in India. This includes 11 Coast Guard OPVs. 

Apart from this, 5 Naval OPVs of Reliance Defence Engineering and 7 Coast Guard OPVs of L&T Shipbuilding, which are under construction would also be benefited. 

“In line with the indigenisation and ‘Make in India’ initiative, the deal will provide a strategic edge to Indian defence sector,” Chairman and managing director of Goa Shipyard Limited Rear admiral (retd) Shekar Mittal said.

He also added that the collaboration would aid to significantly increase the indigenous content aboard the ships made in India.  Besides the deal with MTU, Germany for production of the MTU Series 8000 engines in India, Goa shipyard has also signed agreements with the French organization Naval Group in the field of design and production of all shore-based simulators for Scorpene class Submarine project and for other future advanced simulator requirements for the Indian Navy. 

The GSL also had entered into a deal with UK-based Griffon Hover Works for design, development and production of hover-crafts in India.