Boeing, HAL, Mahindra Defence join hands to make fighter

Boeing India, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Mahindra Defence Systems today entered into an agreement to manufacture fighter aircraftF/A-18 Super Hornet in the country.

Boeing India, President, Pratyush Kumar, HAL Chairman and Managing Director, T Suvarna Raju and Mahindra Defence Systems, Chairman, S P Shukla exchanged a 'Memorandum of Agreement for 'Make in India fighter' at the on-going 'DefExpo' near here.

Stating that the discussions on the tie-up have been going on for the last 18 months, Kumar said, "The intent of the government and the MoD (Ministry of Defence) for a strategic partnership is to produce 'Make in India' aircraft."
To a query, Kumar said a joint venture company would be floated over the next few months and added that investments under the agreement will be "huge."
On the agreement, Mahindra Defence Systems, Chairman, S P Shukla said, "This is a combination.. we have three companies that will bring their expertise, domain knowledge and flavour to the alliance."
The Super Hornet fighter aircraft does not only have a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per flight hour to operate than a tactical aicraft, a company statement said