India's HAL Invites Bids To Convert 2 Ton Choppers Into UAVs

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has invited global firms with capabilities in specific areas of design and development for conversion of 2 ton class Helicopters into Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (RUAV). 

In a bid to accomplish requirement of unmanned platforms for Indian armed forces in fixed timeframe, “HAL desires to select risk sharing partners for development of specific technologies/systems to meet the overall requirement of developing the Unmanned Helicopter,” according to a document published by HAL.

HAL and Malat solution, a unit of Israel Aerospace Industries, were involved in developing rotor craft project since 2008 which did not yield the desired results.

Indian Navy is pursuing HAL to complete, if possible, the project in fixed timeline as it urgently needs such rotary UAV for futuristic warfare, Sputnik News reported today.

Indian Navy plans to induct strategic unmanned systems, including a fleet of high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) maritime UAVs as well as rotary-wing tactical UAS.

The increasing tendencies of the navies for autonomous operations is a reflection of the growing tensions in Asia-Pacific.

China’s deployment of high-tech drones, such as the Harbin BZK-005, has reinforced a perception in New Delhi that Chinese future military operations will focus on dominating Asia’s littorals,” said Indian Naval Commander Abhijit Singh(retired) of Delhi based think tank ORF.

HAL has produced Pilotless Target Aircraft (Lakshya) and is involved in maintenance of MALE & Tactical categories of UAVs. In addition HAL has designed indigenous mini UAV, which is undergoing extensive flight trials.