CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Following selection of the Ka-226T to meet an India requirement for 197 helicopters, an agreement was signed in December 2015 for the creation of a joint venture between Rostec, Russian Helicopters and Hindustan Aeronautics to build the helicopters at a new factory to be built at Tumakuru in India.

Detailed explanation-2: -The LCH was declared ready for production in February 2020, and subsequently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the purchase of 15 limited series production helicopters at a cost of ₹3,887 crore. The defence ministry said 10 of these helicopters were for the IAF and the remainder for the army.

Detailed explanation-3: -The price for the 200 copters would be around $4 billion (Rs 28,000 crore approximately), sources said. This would also include transfer of 50% technology, including structure of the copter, its blades and landing gear, all important for metallurgy and transfer of technology.

Detailed explanation-4: -India and Russia to jointly manufacture Kamov 226 helicopter under ‘Make In India’ State owned HAL is believed to have pipped a proposal by the Anil Ambani owned Reliance Defence as the main partner for the contract.