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After the sale of seven Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to the Ecuadorian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has announced another sales success with Turkey, in a contract estimated be worth $ 20 million.
According to HAL chairman, Ashok Baweja, an Indian delegation in Turkey finalised the deal over the weekend. The three machines will be supplied over a period of six months.
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Ashok Baweja, Chairman, HAL |
Baweja told journalists in Bangalore that the order was only the first lot and that he expected further orders to emerge. Reports suggest that Turkey may be in the market for another 17 of this class of helicopters over the next few years. The total cost of such a deal would be close to $150 million.
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Dhruv |
HAL beat global aircraft major Bell Helicopter was which was in the fray.
HAL has been marketing the Dhruv helicopters aggressively in the global market and sales are picking up after a slow start.
In another development, The indigenously-developed Hawk Mk 132 aircraft of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on August 14.
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Originally manufactured by UK-based BAE Systems, the Hawk Mk 132 has been developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence production for the IAF.
According to HAL, the twoseater aircraft is a transonic tandem-seat ground attack/trainer, powered by a single Rolls Royce Adour Mk 871 turbo fan engine.
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The BAE-developed Hawks were earlier inducted into the IAF this year after it was supplied in flyaway condition.
As per the contract signed between IAF and BAE Systems for the aircraft in 2004, a total of 66 aircraft will be inducted into the Indian Air Force, of which 24 will be delivered by the BAE Systems and the remaining 42 by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore.
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Hawk |
The first HAL-built aircraft will be handed over to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major.
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